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 |
These phrases are used to command someone to stop talking.
Which one should you use?
While cállate is a standard command, cállate el hocico is much more insulting because it refers to a person's mouth as an animal's snout. Cierra el pico is a slightly less aggressive, more idiomatic way to tell someone to be quiet compared to the direct cállate, meaning 'shut your beak'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate is a common informal way to say 'shut up'. If you need to be formal, you should use silencio, por favor (silence, please). For other informal options, you can use deja de hablar (stop talking). Cállate el hocico is considered impolite and informal, while cierra el pico is also informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the form Enmudecé is used to mean 'become silent' or 'shut up'. In Spain, the slang term Chitón is used to tell someone to be quiet.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Use cállate when addressing one person informally. If you are addressing more than one person, use cállanse.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, ¡Calla! can be used as an expression of disbelief or surprise similar to saying 'No way!' in English.
- While cállate is a command to be quiet, the root verb callar also means 'to keep a secret' or 'to hide information'.
- The term chitón is an onomatopoeic expression used in Spain to mimic the sound of a finger being placed on the lips.
Examples in context
- Cállate o te echarán.Shut up or they'll throw you out.This sentence shows the use of cállate as a warning.Tatoeba #1678669 by termito2nd, translation #8955701 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Dije cierra la boca!I said shut up!This sentence demonstrates the use of cierra la boca as an emphatic command.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This sentence shows how to use cállate with a polite request.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- Te pido que guardes silencio, por favor.I kindly ask you to remain silent, please.
- Cállate, por favor.Shut up, please.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are in a library and Mateo is being too loud.
- ElenaMateo, cállate, por favor.Mateo, shut up, please.
- MateoLo siento, Elena, no quería molestar.I'm sorry, Elena, I didn't want to bother anyone.
- ElenaEs que la gente está estudiando.It's just that people are studying.
- MateoEstá bien, no diré nada más.Alright, I won't say anything else.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
