How to Say “Shut Up” in Spanish

Ways to say it

These expressions are used to tell someone to stop talking. You can also use cállate la boca to tell someone to "shut their mouth" in an informal way. If you want to tell someone to "stay quiet" among friends or close acquaintances, you might use Quédate callado. In a formal setting, an indirect way to ask for silence is Por favor, no hable mientras hablo (Please don't speak while I'm talking).

What does it mean word for word?

The form cállate is a combination of the verb callar (to silence) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself). The phrase cállate el hocico literally means "shut your snout", using the word for an animal's snout or muzzle to be insulting. The phrase cierra el pico literally means "shut your beak", using the word for a bird's beak.

Which one should you use?

Cállate is the singular form used when addressing one person. Cállense is the plural imperative form used when addressing more than one person. Cierra la boca is another way to say "shut up".

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

Cállate la boca is an informal way to say "shut their mouth". Cierra el pico is informal and used among friends. Cállate el hocico is considered impolite and informal. For formal situations, use indirect phrases like Por favor, no hable mientras hablo.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Spain, the expression cierra el pico is used informally among friends. In Mexico, the phrase ¡Cállate el hocico! is used and is considered quite strong and vulgar.

Related words

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

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

How does it change in a sentence?

Cállate is the singular imperative form. Cállense is the plural imperative form used for multiple people. The form cállate is reflexive, combining the verb callar and the pronoun te.

How do you pronounce it?

/ˈkaʝate/