βούλωσέ το
voulose to
The English phrase "shut your mouth" can be translated into Greek as βούλωσέ το (voulose to).
The phrase βούλωσέ το is an aggressive and rude command used to tell someone to stop talking immediately.
Which one should you use?
While βούλωσέ το is highly aggressive and slangy, κλείσε το στόμα σου is a more standard, though still rude, way to tell someone to be quiet. For a direct and stronger informal expression meaning "shut up", use Σκάσε.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
βούλωσέ το is highly aggressive and slangy. κλείσε το στόμα σου is a more standard, though still rude, way to tell someone to be quiet and Σκάσε is a strong informal expression.
How do you pronounce it?
voulose to
Did you know?
- The verb βούλω used in βούλωσέ το literally means to plug or seal a hole with a stopper. When told to βούλωσέ το, the person is being told to treat their mouth like a leaking pipe or a bottle that needs a cork.
- If you use the informal Σκάσε with an elder or a teacher, the social consequences are often much harsher than the mere 'rudeness' perceived in English.
- The word το in βούλωσέ το is a linguistic relative of the German 'das', sharing a common ancestor that defines a specific gendered article.
Examples in context
- Βούλωσέ το και μην πεις τίποτα.Voulose to kai min peis tipota.Shut your mouth and don't say anything.
- Βούλωσέ το τώρα!Voulose to tora!Shut your mouth now!
Example conversation
Dimitris and Eleni are having a heated argument.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΔεν μπορώ να πιστέψω ότι το έκανες!Den boro na pistepso oti to ekanes!I can't believe you did that!
- Ελένη EleniΒούλωσέ το, Δημήτρη, δεν θέλω να ακούσω τίποτα.Voulose to, Dimitri, den thelo na akouso tipota.Shut your mouth, Dimitris, I don't want to hear anything.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΓιατί με σκαςίνεις έτσι;Giati me skasinis etsi?Why are you shutting me up like this?
- Ελένη EleniΓιατί με εκνευρίζεις πολύ.Giati me eknevrizis poly.Because you are annoying me a lot.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries το, CC BY-SA 4.0.
