Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cállate | /ˈkaʝate/ | |
| cállate la boca | /kaʝate la boka/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra la boca | /θjera la boka/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera la boka/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| cállanse | /kaʝanse/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra el pico | /θjera el piko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera el piko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
informal |
| cállate el hocico | /kaʝate el oθiko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kaʝate el osiko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
impolite, informal |
These phrases are used to tell someone to stop talking. While cállate is the standard command, you can also use cierra la boca or cierra el pico, which are informal ways to ask someone to be quiet by literally telling them to close their mouth or beak. To convey the same meaning more neutrally, you can also say deja de hablar, which means "stop talking".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cállate el hocico literally means "shut your snout", where hocico refers to the snout or muzzle of an animal. The phrase cierra el pico literally means "shut your beak", using pico to refer to a bird's beak.
Which one should you use?
Cállate is the standard way to say "shut up". Cierra la boca is slightly more literal, meaning "close your mouth", but it carries a similar level of bluntness. For a common idiomatic approach, cierra el pico uses the imagery of a bird's beak. Finally, cállate el hocico is an aggressive and highly insulting way to tell someone to shut up compared to the standard forms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate is a standard command. Cierra el pico and cierra la boca are informal. Cállate el hocico is considered impolite and is a highly aggressive, insulting form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person, use the plural form cállanse instead of the singular cállate.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- The verb callar does not just mean 'to shut up' but can also be used to describe the act of keeping a secret.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone to cierra el pico can be seen as a playful or childish tease rather than a harsh command.
- The word boca used in cierra la boca actually descends from the Latin word bucca, which originally meant 'cheek' rather than 'mouth'.
Examples in context
- Cállate o te echarán.Shut up or they'll throw you out.This sentence shows how to use cállate as a warning.Tatoeba #1678669 by termito2nd, translation #8955701 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Dije cierra la boca!I said shut up!This sentence demonstrates the bluntness of the phrase cierra la boca.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This sentence shows the use of cállate with a request for immediacy.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A library where one person is being too loud.
- Sofía¡Cállate, por favor!Shut up, please!
- MateoPerdón, no me di cuenta.Sorry, I didn't realize.
- SofíaEstoy tratando de estudiar.I am trying to study.
- MateoLo siento, ya no hablaré.I am sorry, I won't talk anymore.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations and entries cállate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boca, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
