cállate, mono
/ˈkaʝate ˈmono/word by word
The English phrase "shut up, you monkey" is translated into Spanish as cállate, mono.
This phrase is an insulting command used to tell someone to stop talking while calling them a monkey.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive imperative cállate (shut yourself up) and the noun mono (monkey).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form cállate is the imperative (command) form of the reflexive verb callarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate ˈmono/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone a mono can actually be a term of endearment, similar to calling someone 'cutie' or 'sweetie' in English.
- In Spain, the word mono is used to describe a one-piece jumpsuit or coveralls, a meaning entirely unrelated to the animal.
- The word mono shares a common ancestor with the English 'monkey' through the Arabic word 'maymūn', which originally referred to baboons or mandrills.
Examples in context
- Eres muy molesto, cállate, mono.You are very annoying, shut up, you monkey.
- No quiero escucharte, cállate, mono.I don't want to listen to you, shut up, you monkey.
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing in the living room.
- Lucía¡Cállate, mono!Shut up, you monkey!
- DanielNo soy un mono, Lucía.I am not a monkey, Lucía.
- Lucía¡Eres un mono muy ruidoso!You are a very noisy monkey!
- DanielPues ya me callo.Well, I'll be quiet now.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cállate, mono) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
