nyamaza
The Swahili phrase for "shut up" is nyamaza.
The phrase is used to command someone to stop talking.
Meaning: "Stop talking." (intj)
Which one should you use?
The form nyamaza is used when addressing a single person, whereas nyamazeni is used when addressing more than one person. For a much more polite request to stop talking, you can say ninaomba unyamaze, which means "I am asking you to be quiet".
How does it change in a sentence?
nyamaza is the singular imperative used when addressing one person. To address a group, use the plural imperative form nyamazeni.
Did you know?
- In many Swahili-speaking contexts, abruptly saying nyamaza can be perceived as a significant social slight, almost as if you are stripping the person of their dignity.
- There is a playful, slang-adjacent way to tell someone to shut up by using the word tulia, which literally means 'settle down' or 'calm down'.
- To express the concept of 'silence' as a state of being rather than a command, Swahili uses kimya. While nyamaza is an action you force on others, kimya is the atmosphere you inhabit.
Examples in context
- Nyamaza kabisa! Nataka kumsikia mama akiongea.Shut up completely! I want to hear what mom says.
- Nyamaza sasa!Shut up now!
- Tafadhali nyamaza.Please shut up.
- Nyamaza, unanichosha.Shut up, you are tiring me.
Example conversation
Aisha and Omari are arguing in the living room.
- AishaOmari, nyamaza sasa hivi!Omari, shut up right now!
- OmariKwanini ninyamaze?Why should I shut up?
- AishaUnapiga kelele sana.You are making too much noise.
- OmariSawa, nitanyamaza.Okay, I will shut up.
