callate
rude, Argentina, vos
In Argentina "shut up" is callate, the vos command of callarse. Callate la boca is stronger and hacé silencio is a firmer but less rude way to ask for quiet.
Meaning: rude command to stop talking (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| callate | rude, Argentina, vos |
| callate la boca | rude, stronger |
| hacé silencio | firm |
Callate is rude with strangers and elders. Between close friends it can be playful, as in Callate, no puede ser.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To ask for quiet politely you can say Silencio, por favor or ¿Podrían hacer silencio?
How does it change in a sentence?
Callate has the stress on the second syllable, like "kah-SHAH-teh". The standard command with tú is cállate.
Did you know?
- Many Spanish speakers use callate with a different meaning of surprise, much like "shut up, really?" in English.
Examples in context
- Callate un poco.Be quiet for a bit.
- Hacé silencio, el bebé duerme.Be quiet, the baby is sleeping.
- Callate, no puede ser.Shut up, no way.
Example conversation
Mateo and his sister Paula have a quarrel in the living room in Rosario while their mother Nélida walks in.
- MateoPaula, callate, estoy estudiando.Paula, shut up, I am studying.
- NélidaNo se hablen así.Do not talk to each other like that.
- PaulaPerdón, mamá.Sorry, Mom.
