What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tumahimik, which is the form of tahimik (quiet) meaning "to become quiet," and the pronoun ka, which means "you."
Which one should you use?
While tumahimik ka! is frequently used to mean "shut up," it is more literally "be quiet" than the English slang version, which can carry a more hostile connotation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tumahimik ka! is an informal and direct command. Depending on your tone, it can sound rude or aggressive. For a much more polite way to ask someone to refrain from speaking, you should use Pakiusap po, huwag na po kayong magsalita.
Is it said differently in some regions?
A regional variation of the command to shut up is Tumahimik ka na dyán!
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase tumahimik ka! consists of the verb tumahimik and the pronoun ka (you), which together form a command directed at the listener.
How do you pronounce it?
/tumaˈhimik ka/
Did you know?
- The pronoun ka was historically represented by the character ᜃ in Baybayin, the ancient indigenous writing system of the Philippines.
- To avoid the aggression of tumahimik ka!, speakers often use a finger-to-the-lips gesture combined with a softer tone to maintain social harmony, known as pakikisama.
- Adding the word na to the phrase, as in tumahimik ka na, does not just change the grammar but signals that the speaker's patience has finally run out.
Examples in context
- Puwede po bang tigilan niyo na po ang pagsasalita?Excuse me, can you please stop talking?
- Hoy, tumahimik ka!Hey, be quiet!
- Tumahimik ka!Shut up!
- Sabi ko, tumahimik ka!I said, shut up!
Example conversation
A brother and sister are arguing in their living room.
- MarkAng ingay mo, tumahimik ka!You are so noisy, shut up!
- MariaBakit ako ang pinapagalit mo?Why are you scolding me?
- MarkTumahimik ka lang, Maria.Just shut up, Maria.
- MariaAng sungit mo talaga, Mark.You are really grumpy, Mark.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tumahimik, ka) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ka, tumahimik, CC BY-SA 4.0.
