Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cállate | /ˈkaʝate/ | |
| cállate la boca | /kaʝate la boka/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra la boca | /θjera la boka/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera la boka/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| cállanse | /kaʝanse/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra el pico | /θjera el piko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera el piko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
informal |
| cállate el hocico | /kaʝate el oθiko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kaʝate el osiko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
impolite, informal |
The phrase is used as an imperative to tell someone to stop talking. While cállate is a direct and informal way to request silence, other variations exist depending on whether you want to be jocular, blunt or insulting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cierra el pico literally means "shut your beak," using the word for a bird's beak. The phrase cállate el hocico literally translates to "shut your snout," using the word for an animal's muzzle to create an insult.
Which one should you use?
Cállate is derived from the reflexive verb callarse (to be quiet), whereas cierra la boca uses the verb cerrar (to close). Cierra el pico is a more jocular expression often used among friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate is an informal command. cierra el pico is an informal, jocular expression used among friends. On the other hand, cállate el hocico is considered impolite and is used as an insult.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word chitón is an informal way to tell someone to shush or zip it.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Cállate is the singular informal imperative used when addressing one person.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- The term chitón is an onomatopoeic expression in Spain that mimics the sound of a finger being placed on the lips.
- The word boca in cierra la boca actually comes from the Latin bucca, which originally meant 'cheek' rather than 'mouth'.
- Depending on the country, telling someone to cállate can range from a mild request to a severe insult that might provoke a physical confrontation.
Examples in context
- Cállate o te echarán.Shut up or they'll throw you out.This sentence is useful for showing the consequence of not shutting up using cállate.Tatoeba #1678669 by termito2nd, translation #8955701 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Dije cierra la boca!I said shut up!This sentence is useful for expressing a forceful command to shut up using cierra la boca.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This sentence is useful for requesting silence politely yet firmly using cállate.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are arguing in the living room.
- Daniel¡Cállate ya, Sofía!Shut up already, Sofía!
- SofíaNo me digas eso, Daniel.Don't tell me that, Daniel.
- DanielSolo quiero un poco de silencio.I just want a bit of silence.
- SofíaEntonces no empieces la pelea.Then don't start the fight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations and entries cállate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boca, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
