cállate mono
/kaʝate mono/from spelling rules
The English phrase "shut up monkey" is translated into Spanish as cállate mono.
This phrase is a rude command used to tell someone to stop talking while simultaneously using a derogatory term to insult them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive imperative cállate, which means "shut yourself up" and the noun mono, meaning "monkey".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase cállate mono is highly informal and offensive.
How does it change in a sentence?
In written Spanish, you should place a comma before mono to indicate that it is a vocative, which is the person being addressed. When addressing a group of people, use the plural forms cállense, monos.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʝate mono/
Did you know?
- While mono means 'monkey', in Spain it is also a very common slang term for something that is 'cute' or 'pretty'.
- In certain Latin American countries, mono is a common nickname for people with light skin or blond hair, which is entirely unrelated to the primate.
- The word mono is a distant relative of the English word 'monkey', as both trace their origins back to the Arabic word maymūn.
Examples in context
- Le ruego que se calle, señor mono.I kindly ask you to be quiet, Mr. Monkey.
- ¡Cállate, mono!Shut up monkey
- ¡Déjate de monerías y cállate!Stop monkeying around and shut up!
- Cállate mono y déjame trabajar.Shut up monkey and let me work.
- Ya cállate mono, eres muy molesto.Shut up monkey already, you are very annoying.
Example conversation
Two people are arguing during a heated game.
- MaríaNo puedo creer que hayas perdido.I can't believe you lost.
- Alejandro¡Cállate mono!Shut up, monkey!
- María¡No me insultes!Don't insult me!
- AlejandroEntonces deja de molestarme.Then stop bothering me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
