Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| turpa kiinni | /ˈturpɑ ˈkiːnːiˣ/ | |
| hiljaa | /ˈhiljɑː/ | |
| ole hiljaa | singular | |
| olkaa hiljaa | plural | |
| suu tukkoon | impolite |
These expressions are used as interjections to command someone to stop talking. While some forms are neutral requests to be quiet, others are aggressive, blunt or derogatory commands to shut up.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase turpa kiinni literally means 'muzzle closed', where turpa refers to an animal's snout or a person's mouth in a derogatory way. The phrase suu tukkoon literally means 'mouth to a clog/blockage', implying the mouth should be blocked or stopped.
Which one should you use?
The form ole hiljaa is a relatively neutral command to be quiet. In contrast, turpa kiinni is a much more aggressive and rude way to say 'shut up'. The form suu tukkoon is also a blunt way to tell someone to stop talking.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To be formal, you can use the expression Voisitko olla hiljaa? The phrase Hiljaa! is an informal way to ask someone to be quiet, as is the phrase Ole vaiti! Ole hiljaa is a relatively neutral command. For highly impolite or slangy situations, suu tukkoon is an impolite and blunt option, while turpa kiinni is a slangy, aggressive command similar to telling someone to 'shut your trap'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word hiljaa is the adverbial form of hiljainen (quiet). It is used in the imperative forms ole hiljaa for the singular and olkaa hiljaa for the plural/polite.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈturpɑ ˈkiːnːiˣ/
Did you know?
- The word suu meaning 'mouth' is a cognate with the Hungarian word száj, linking Finnish to languages spoken thousands of miles away in Central Europe.
- In Finnish, hiljaa is used not only for silence but also to tell someone to slow down or move carefully, similar to the English 'slowly'.
- If you want to be polite while asking for silence, you must use the plural form olkaa hiljaa, even if you are only speaking to one person, to show formal respect.
Examples in context
- Ole nyt jo hiljaa.Please shut up.This sentence shows how to use hiljaa in a request.Tatoeba #10052963 by Silja, translation #1495906 by CK
- Istu alas ja ole hiljaa!Sit down and shut up.This sentence demonstrates the singular imperative ole hiljaa.Tatoeba #3208489 by Silja, translation #2263502 by Hybrid
- Okei, mä oon hiljaa nyt.Okay, I'm going to shut up now.This sentence shows a person's intent to be hiljaa.Tatoeba #3325279 by Silja, translation #3324370 by Hybrid
- Ole hiljaa.Be quiet.
- Voisitko olla hiljaa?Could you be quiet?
- Hiljaa!Quiet!
- Ole vaiti!Be silent!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Matti are arguing in a room.
- AnnaMatti, turpa kiinni nyt!Matti, shut up now!
- MattiMiksi sä huudat mulle?Why are you shouting at me?
- AnnaKoska sä et lakkaa puhumasta.Because you won't stop talking.
- MattiOkei, mä olen hiljaa.Okay, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations and entries turpa kiinni, hiljaa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hiljaa, suu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
