cállate, papá
/ˈkaʝate paˈpa/word by word
The English phrase "shut up, dad" is translated into Spanish as cállate, papá.
This phrase is an impolite command used to tell one's father to stop talking.
Which one should you use?
If you are addressing multiple people including your father, you would use the plural form cállense, papá.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase cállate, papá is informal because it uses the 'tú' conjugation. This is typical for a child speaking to a parent in a heated or informal moment, though it remains highly impolite. In contrast, cállese, papá is the formal version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase ¡Cállate, papá! is widely used in Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you were addressing multiple people including your father, you would use the plural form cállense instead of the singular cállate.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate paˈpa/
Did you know?
- The word papá uses a written accent mark to distinguish it from the word papa, which means 'potato'.
- If a child uses the formal cállese, papá instead of the informal version, the phrase can ironically sound more sarcastic or biting because it uses extreme politeness to deliver a harsh command.
- The word papá is actually a linguistic relative of the French word papa, which is believed to have originated from much older, universal baby talk used by infants across many cultures.
Examples in context
- Papá, cállate, estoy intentando estudiar y no puedo concentrarme.Dad, shut up, I'm trying to study and I can't concentrate.
- ¡Cállate, papá, estoy tratando de estudiar!Shut up, dad, I am trying to study!
- ¡Cállate, papá, ya te escuché!Shut up, dad, I already heard you!
- ¡Cállate, papá, no me molestes!Shut up, dad, don't bother me!
Example conversation
A teenager is arguing with his father about a chore.
- Mateo¡Cállate, papá! No me molestes más.Shut up, dad! Stop bothering me.
- SofíaNo me hables así, Mateo.Don't speak to me like that, Mateo.
- MateoEstá bien, cállate, papá.Fine, just shut up, dad.
- SofíaVas a estar castigado por esto.You are going to be grounded for this.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cállate, papá) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries papá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
