What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cállate la boca literally translates to "shut your mouth."
Which one should you use?
You may encounter the shorter form cállate, which simply means "shut up." Adding la boca (the mouth) to the command makes the expression more aggressive and emphatic, similar to the English "shut your face."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate la boca is an informal expression. Depending on the tone of voice used, it can be perceived as rude or aggressive. Other informal alternatives include Calla, which is an informal imperative and Cierra el pico, a commonly used informal expression among friends or in casual settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, the informal expression Cállate el hocico is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cállate is the imperative (command) form of the reflexive verb callarse.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- ¡Cierra el pico! Estoy tratando de concentrarme en mi libroShut your beak! I'm trying to concentrate on my book
- ¡Cállate la boca de una vez!Shut your face once and for all!
- Si no tienes nada bueno que decir, cállate la boca.If you have nothing good to say, shut your face.
- ¡Cállate la boca, que no te he preguntado!Shut your face, I didn't ask you!
Example conversation
A heated argument between two roommates in their apartment.
- Lucía¡Ya basta, Javier, cállate la boca!Enough, Javier, shut your face!
- Javier¡No me hables así, Lucía!Don't talk to me like that, Lucía!
- LucíaEs que eres insoportable.It's just that you are unbearable.
- Javier¡Pues me voy de aquí!Well, I'm leaving!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boca, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
