Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| cala a boca | /ˈka.lɐ a ˈbo.kɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈka.l‿ɐ ˈbo.kɐ/ (Brazil) |
| cale-se | |
| cale a boca | /ˈka.li a ˈbo.kɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈka.l‿ɐ ˈbo.kɐ/ (Portugal) |
| cala-te |
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to stop talking. It can be used in a casual way among friends or as an expression of anger.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cala a boca literally translates to "shut the mouth".
Which one should you use?
Cala a boca is the informal way to say "shut up". In contrast, cale-se is a more formal or polite imperative form, though it still functions as a command to be silent. Cala-te is the reflexive form commonly used in European Portuguese.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, it is common to hear cala a boca! In Brazil, it is common to hear Fica quieto(a)! In European Portuguese, the form cala-te is the common way to express the reflexive "shut up".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While cala a boca is common in Brazil, the form cala-te is used in European Portuguese to express the reflexive sense of the command.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈka.lɐ a ˈbo.kɐ/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word boca comes from a Celtic root, making it a linguistic survivor from ancient tribes in the Iberian Peninsula.
- While cala a boca is a command to stop talking, in very casual Brazilian slang it can be used as an expression of disbelief, similar to the English 'no way'.
- The imperative cale-se is technically more 'correct' in formal writing, but it can sound extremely cold or even aggressive in a verbal argument.
Examples in context
- Cala a boca, idiota!Shut up, dumbass!This example shows how to use cala a boca with an insult.Tatoeba #1664775 by alexmarcelo, translation #4824039 by whitefishglobal
- Cala a boca e senta.Shut up and sit down.This example shows how to use cala a boca with a command to sit.Tatoeba #2500525 by alexmarcelo, translation #2499064 by Hybrid
- Cala a boca e dirige.Shut up and drive.This example shows how to use cala a boca with a command to drive.Tatoeba #6771896 by lucasmg123, translation #5757828 by CM
- Você poderia se calar, por gentileza?Could you please be quiet?
- Cala a boca!shut up
- Fica quieto(a)!Stay quiet
- Chega de falar!Stop talking!
- Cala-te!Shut up!
- Fica calado(a)!Stay quiet!
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing in a park.
- RodrigoCala a boca, Mariana!Shut up, Mariana!
- MarianaNão me mande calar a boca!Don't tell me to shut up!
- RodrigoVocê não para de falar.You won't stop talking.
- MarianaEu estou apenas dizendo a verdade.I am only telling the truth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations and entries cala a boca, cale a boca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, boca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
