houd je mond
The Dutch phrase for "shut your mouth" is houd je mond.
This phrase is an imperative used to tell someone to stop talking. It is often used in a rude or forceful way.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally translated, the phrase means "hold your mouth".
Which one should you use?
While houd je mond is a direct command, a slightly less aggressive way to tell someone to be quiet is wees even stil (be quiet for a moment).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
houd je mond is informal and can be perceived as rude or aggressive depending on the tone of voice. If you use the formal version houd uw mond, which uses the polite pronoun, the command remains highly impolite.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb houden (to hold) is used in the imperative form houd to command someone to keep their mouth shut.
Did you know?
- If you want to be even more blunt than houd je mond, you might hear the much more vulgar houd je kop, which literally means 'hold your head'.
- In Dutch, the word mond can also refer to an 'estuary' where a river meets the sea, which is a completely different sense from the body part.
- While houd je mond is rude, Dutch children are often told mondje dicht (little mouth closed) to encourage silence in a gentler, more playful way.
Examples in context
- Houd je mond.Shut your mouth.This sentence is useful for practicing the command houd je mond.Tatoeba #417103 by phiz, translation #240561 by CK
- Houd uw mond alstublieft.Please keep your mouth shut.
- Kunt u alstublieft uw mond houden?Could you please keep your mouth shut?
- Hou je mond alsjeblieft.Please shut your mouth.
- Wil je alsjeblieft je mond houden?Could you please shut your mouth?
- Houd je mond en luister naar mij!Shut your mouth and listen to me!
- Ben je gek? Houd je mond!Are you crazy? Shut your mouth!
Example conversation
Sophie and Noah are arguing during a game.
- SophieJe hebt weer verloren, Noah!You lost again, Noah!
- NoahDat was een fout van het spel.That was a mistake by the game.
- SophieHoud je mond en accepteer het.Shut your mouth and accept it.
- NoahDat is niet fair, Sophie.That is not fair, Sophie.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
