How to Say “Shut Up” in Czech

Ways to say it

These phrases are used to command someone to stop talking. While mlčte is a relatively neutral way to request silence, the forms involving hubu are highly impolite and aggressive. For example, drž hubu! translates to "shut your mouth" and is used in informal or heated situations. If you want to express annoyance or frustration, you might say Už mlč!, which means "shut up already."

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase drž hubu literally translates to "hold your mouth".

Which one should you use?

The forms differ significantly in their level of politeness. mlčte is a more neutral or formal command for silence, whereas drž hubu is highly impolite. The form držte hubu is the plural or formal version of the impolite drž hubu.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

There is a wide range of formality across these forms. mlčte is suitable for a more polite setting or when addressing a group. In contrast, drž hubu is categorized as impolite, rude and aggressive. To address a single person informally and rudely, one might use Mlč!, while mlčte serves as the formal or plural imperative.

Related words

Close (a building) so that no one can enter (verb): zamknout.

Intransitive: to stop talking or making noise (verb): držet hubu.

What mistakes should you avoid?

Do not use zamknout to mean "shut up". That verb refers specifically to physically locking or closing a door or a container.

When do people say it?

When you need to request silence in a formal or polite manner, it is better to use the phrase Prosím o klid, which literally means "I ask for quiet".