How to Say “Shut Up” in Hungarian

Ways to say it

These phrases are used to command someone to stop talking. Some forms are blunt or rude, while others are more dramatic or formal. For example, fogd be a pofád is a very aggressive way to say "shut your trap."

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase fogd be literally means "hold it" or "catch it," but is used idiomatically to mean "shut up." The phrase pofa be literally means "mouth in," where pofa is a colloquial or rude term for a mouth or cheek.

Which one should you use?

The forms differ significantly in tone. Kuss is a common, blunt way to tell someone to be quiet. Fogd be is an idiomatic command, which can be made even more insulting by adding a pofád (your mouth/cheek). Csend legyen is a dramatic or formal command meaning "let there be silence," whereas pofa be is more colloquial and rude.

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

For blunt or annoyed commands, use kuss (often used with children) or the informal Hallgass már el! (Just shut up!). For a very rude/informal command, use Fogd be a szád! (Shut your mouth!). To be much more formal or polite, you can say Talán lenne szíves elhallgatni? (Would you please be kind enough to be quiet?). Csend legyen is a formal or dramatic way to command silence.

Related words

Close (a building) so that no one can enter (verb): becsuk, becsap, bezár.

Enclose (a person, animal or thing) in a room or other place so that it cannot leave (verb): bezár.