Cállate ya
/kaʝate ʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "shut up right now" is translated into Spanish as Cállate ya.
A more aggressive variation you might encounter is ¡Cállate la boca!, which means "Shut your mouth!"
What does it mean word for word?
Cállate ya is composed of the reflexive verb callarse (to shut oneself up) and the adverb ya (already/now), meaning "Shut yourself up already".
Which one should you use?
Cállese ya is the formal usted form. Note that even when using the formal version, the command remains inherently impolite.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The base form Cállate is an informal imperative that can be perceived as rude or aggressive depending on your tone.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʝate ʝa/
Did you know?
- In certain regions, people use ¡Calla! as an expression of disbelief or shock, similar to saying 'No way!' or 'Shut up!' in English, rather than as a command to be quiet.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone Cállate la boca is significantly more provocative than the English 'shut your mouth', often serving as a direct provocation to a fight.
- The word ya in Cállate ya shares a common ancestor with the French word déjà, which is why they both carry the sense of 'already'.
Examples in context
- Le ruego que guarde silencio de inmediato.I request that you remain silent immediately.
- Cállate ahora mismo.Shut up right now.
- ¡Cállate ya, que no me dejas hablar!Shut up right now, you're not letting me speak!
- Por favor, cállate ya y escucha.Please, shut up right now and listen.
- Cállate ya, estoy tratando de estudiar.Shut up right now, I am trying to study.
Example conversation
Javier and María are arguing in a quiet library.
- Javier¡María, cállate ya, por favor!María, shut up right now, please!
- María¡No me hables así, Javier!Don't talk to me like that, Javier!
- JavierEs que la gente nos mira.It's just that people are looking at us.
- MaríaEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
