bly stil
To say "shut up" in Afrikaans, you use bly stil.
The phrase is used to tell someone to stop talking. While it can function as a command to be quiet, it is less rude than the English "shut up" and can be used as a polite request to remain silent.
Meaning: "Stop talking." (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bly stil literally translates to "stay quiet".
Which one should you use?
bly stil is a command to be quiet. In contrast, hou jou mond is a more aggressive, informal way to say "shut up".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say "shut up", use Hou asseblief jou mond toe. Informal options include Hou jou bek toe. or Hou jou mond.
Did you know?
- The word bek in the phrase Hou jou bek toe refers specifically to the beak or mouth of a bird. Using it toward a human is a way of dehumanizing them to increase the insult.
- The word bly is a homonym in Afrikaans. Depending on the context, it can mean 'to stay' as in bly stil or it can mean 'happy'.
- The phrase hou jou mond toe uses the word toe, which is the same word used for 'closed' when talking about a door or a window.
Examples in context
- Hou asseblief jou mond toe.Please keep your mouth closed.
- Hou jou bek toe.Keep your mouth closed.
- Hou jou mond.Keep quiet.
- Bly stil asseblief.Please be quiet.
- Jy moet nou net bly stil.You just need to be quiet now.
- Bly stil, ek probeer konsentreer.Be quiet, I am trying to concentrate.
Example conversation
Johan and Marelize are in a library.
- JohanMarelize, kan jy asseblief bly stil?Marelize, can you please be quiet?
- MarelizeJammer, ek het nie besef nie.Sorry, I didn't realize.
- JohanEk moet my werk doen.I must do my work.
- MarelizeGoed, ek sal stil wees.Fine, I will be quiet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
