¡cállate, estúpido!
/ˈkaʝate esˈtupido/word by word
The English phrase "shut up, you stupid!" is translated into Spanish as ¡cállate, estúpido!
This phrase is a rude command used to tell someone to stop talking and to insult their intelligence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This phrase uses the tú (informal) form of the imperative, making it highly aggressive and personal.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a female, you must change the adjective to the feminine form ¡cállate, estúpida! To address a group of people, use the plural imperative cállense and the plural adjective estúpidos, resulting in ¡cállense, estúpidos!
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate esˈtupido/
Did you know?
- While cállate is the direct command to shut up, a common way to express the same sentiment more aggressively in Spain is to say ¡Cierra el pico!, which literally translates to 'close your beak'.
- The word estúpido shares an ancient root with the Latin verb 'stupere', which means to be struck senseless or stunned. This is the same root found in the English word 'stupendous', implying that the insult originally described a state of being stunned into silence.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone an estúpido can sometimes feel less heavy than the English 'stupid'. In certain contexts, it can be used among very close friends as a hyperbolic, playful jab, though it remains risky for learners.
Examples in context
- ¡Cállate, estúpido, no sé de qué estás hablando!Shut up, you stupid, I don't know what you are talking about!
Example conversation
Mateo and María are arguing during a game.
- MateoNo puedo creer que perdiste otra vez.I can't believe you lost again.
- María¡Cállate, estúpido! Solo fue suerte.Shut up, you stupid! It was just luck.
- MateoNo me hables así.Don't talk to me like that.
- MaríaLo siento, estoy muy molesta.I'm sorry, I'm very upset.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cállate, estúpido) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estúpido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
