How to Say “Shut Up” in Polish

Ways to say it

All these forms are used to tell someone to stop talking. While zamknij się is a standard and blunt way to command silence, other forms involving body parts are much more aggressive and insulting.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase zamknij się literally means "shut yourself", where się is a reflexive pronoun.

Which one should you use?

Zamknij się is a standard, blunt command. In contrast, forms using the words ryj, morda or pysk are significantly more aggressive and insulting. For example, zamknij ryj and zamknijcie ryje are used to tell someone or a group to shut their snouts. Morda w kubeł is a highly idiomatic way to express this command.

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

Zamknij się is an informal way to say shut up. Morda w kubeł is both colloquial and vulgar. Zamknij dupę is a vulgar form equivalent to "shut your ass" or "shut the fuck up".

Related words

Close (a building) so that no one can enter (verb): zamknąć.

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

How does it change in a sentence?

When telling a group of people to shut up, use the plural form zamknijcie się. Similarly, use the plural zamknijcie ryje when addressing a group in a very rude or aggressive manner.