ammutti
The English phrase "shut up" is translated into Sicilian as ammutti.
Meaning: "Stop talking." (intj)
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter Sta zittu! to mean "Be quiet!"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ammutti is an informal and blunt command. The phrase Sta zittu! is also an informal way to say "Be quiet!"
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person or to use a more formal imperative, you can use ammuttiti.
Did you know?
- While ammutti is a blunt command, the root is shared with words meaning 'to hide' or 'to tuck away' in various Southern Italian dialects, treating the voice as something to be hidden.
- The word zittu in Sta zittu! is a cognate of the English 'mute' via the Latin 'stupere', originally meaning to be stunned or frozen into silence.
- In some Sicilian contexts, ammutti can be used ironically between very close friends to express disbelief, similar to saying 'no way' or 'stop it' in English.
Examples in context
- Ammutti!Shut up!
- Ammutti un mumentu.Shut up for a moment.
- Ti dicu: ammutti!I'm telling you: shut up!
Example conversation
Agata and Salvatore are arguing in the kitchen.
- AgataTu fai sempri a stessa cosa!You always do the same thing!
- SalvatoreNun è veru, stai sbagliata.It's not true, you are wrong.
- AgataAmmutti, Salvatore!Shut up, Salvatore!
- SalvatoreVa bene, non parlu cchiù.Fine, I won't speak anymore.
