cállate Kevin
/kaʝate kebin/from spelling rules
The English phrase "shut up kevin" is translated into Spanish as cállate Kevin.
This phrase is a command used to tell a person named Kevin to stop talking.
Which one should you use?
While cállate Kevin is a direct command, you can also use Kevin, ¡cierra el pico! (Kevin, close your beak!) or Kevin, ¡calla ya! (Kevin, shut up already!) as informal alternatives. For a highly formal approach, you might say Kevin, sería amable si pudieras guardar silencio.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cállate is the informal imperative (tú) form of the reflexive verb callarse.
Did you know?
- If you want to sound more polite while still being incredibly rude, you can say cállese Kevin. Using the formal 'usted' form makes the command sound like a strangely polite but aggressive paradox.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase cállate la boca is used instead of just cállate, adding 'the mouth' to the command for extra emphasis.
- While cállate is a command, the verb callar also means 'to keep a secret' or 'to remain silent' about a specific piece of information. In some contexts, telling someone to callarse can imply they are betraying a confidence.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are in a movie theater and Kevin is being loud.
- Alejandro¡Cállate Kevin, estamos en el cine!Shut up Kevin, we are at the cinema!
- LucíaTiene razón, cállate Kevin.He is right, shut up Kevin.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía. Por fin hay silencio.Thanks, Lucía. Finally there is silence.
- LucíaEspero que se quede callado.I hope he stays quiet.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
