cállate, abuela
/ˈkaʝate aˈbwela/word by word
The English phrase "shut up, grandma" is translated into Spanish as cállate, abuela.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the form cállese, abuela uses the formal usted conjugation, though the command itself remains inherently rude.
Did you know?
- While cállate is a command to be silent, using it with an elder in many Spanish-speaking cultures is considered a much deeper insult than in English, often viewed as a total lack of 'respeto'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, calling a woman abuela can be a term of endearment or a way to address an elderly woman even if she is not your biological relative.
- The word abuela comes from the Latin aviola, a diminutive form that originally expressed a sense of affection or smallness.
Examples in context
- Cállate un ratito, abuelita.Shut up for a moment, grandma.
- Calla, viejita.Shut up, little old lady.
- Deja de hablar, abue.Stop talking, grandma.
- Abuela, cierra la boca.Grandma, close your mouth.
- Cállate, abuela, estoy intentando estudiar.Shut up, grandma, I am trying to study.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are arguing while their grandmother tries to intervene.
- MaríaNo estoy de acuerdo con Daniel.I don't agree with Daniel.
- DanielTú siempre dices lo mismo, María.You always say the same thing, María.
- María¡Cállate, abuela! No te he preguntado.Shut up, grandma! I didn't ask you.
- DanielNo le hables así a ella.Don't talk to her like that.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cállate, abuela) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abuela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
