cállate
informal, rude
To say "shut up" in Mexico you use cállate. With someone you address as usted it becomes cállese. Both are rude unless said as a joke with friends. It is also called ya cállate.
Meaning: rude command to stop talking (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| cállate | informal, rude |
| cállese | formal, rude |
| ya cállate | informal, annoyed |
Ya cállate adds irritation, like "just shut up already". For a softer request use silencio, por favor or ¿me dejas hablar?
Which one should you use?
A very harsh version is cállate la boca. Among close friends in Mexico people sometimes say ¡cállate! with surprise, meaning "no way".
How does it change in a sentence?
Cállate is the informal command of callarse. The accent on the first a keeps the stress in place.
Did you know?
- Cállate as a joke between friends often means "stop, you are kidding" more than an actual order.
Examples in context
- ¡Cállate ya, por favor!Just shut up, please!
- Silencio, la película va a empezar.Quiet, the movie is about to start.
- ¡Cállate! ¿De verdad ganaste?No way! You really won?
Example conversation
Brother Rafa teases his sister Daniela during a family dinner in Puebla.
- RafaDaniela, ¿sabes cantar?Daniela, can you sing?
- DanielaCállate, Rafa, me da pena.Shut up, Rafa, I am embarrassed.
- RafaEra una broma, no te enojes.It was a joke, do not get mad.
