Cállate
blunt, rude
The direct way to say "shut up" in Peru is Cállate. It is rude with strangers and elders, and a polite request such as Silencio, por favor is much safer. It is also called Cállese.
Meaning: order to be quiet (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Cállate | blunt, rude |
| Silencio, por favor | polite |
| Cállese | formal, still rude |
Among close friends or siblings Cállate can be joking, especially with a laugh. In a class or a cinema, Silencio, por favor is the normal request.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállese is the usted form, but it still sounds harsh. Using por favor softens the request.
How does it change in a sentence?
Cállate is a command of callarse, with the pronoun attached. The written accent keeps the stress on cá.
Did you know?
- Written cállate takes an accent because of the stress rule for Spanish commands with attached pronouns.
Examples in context
- Silencio, por favor.Quiet, please.
Example conversation
Marco whispers to his friend Lucía in a dark cinema in Lima.
- MarcoLucía, cállate, que ya empieza la película.Lucía, be quiet, the movie is starting.
- LucíaPerdón, perdón.Sorry, sorry.
- MarcoDespués me cuentas.You can tell me later.
