дуугүй бай
duugüi bai
The Mongolian phrase for "shut up" is дуугүй бай (duugüi bai).
The phrase is used to tell someone to stop talking. While it can function as a neutral request to be quiet, it is frequently used as a blunt and informal way to say "shut up".
Meaning: "Stop talking." (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of дуу (sound or noise), the suffix -гүй (without) and бай (to be), literally meaning "be without sound".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
дуугүй бай is an informal expression. If you wish to tell someone to stop talking in a way that is slightly less aggressive than "shut up", you might use хангалттай (enough) in context.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding an exclamation mark or using a sharp, falling tone transforms the command from a request for silence into a harsh "shut up!"
How do you pronounce it?
duugüi bai
Did you know?
- The phrase дуугүй бай is often used ironically among close friends in Mongolia to express disbelief, similar to how an English speaker might say 'no way' or 'shut up' in response to surprising news.
- In Mongolian, the word дуу can refer to both a 'sound' and a 'song', meaning the phrase дуугүй бай is conceptually closer to 'be songless'.
- The suffix -гүй used in дуугүй is a powerful linguistic tool in Mongolian that creates an opposite by subtraction, functioning similarly to the English prefix 'un-' or 'non-' but appearing at the end of the word.
Examples in context
- Дуугүй бай!Duugui bai!Shut up!
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing in a room.
- Төмөр TumurБи зөв хэлж байна.Bi zov khelj baina.I am right.
- Сарантуя SarantuyaДуугүй бай, Төмөр!Duugui bai, Tomor!Shut up, Tomor!
- Төмөр TumurЯагаад намайг зааж байна гэж?Yaagaad namaig zaaj baina gej?Why are you telling me to?
- Сарантуя SarantuyaБи чамайг сонсохыг хүсэхгүй байна.Bi chamaig sonsohyg khusekhgui baina.I don't want to listen to you.
