silencio
/siˈlenθjo/masculine
The English word silence is translated into Spanish as silencio.
silencio is a masculine noun meaning a lack of sound. If you want to describe an action being performed without making noise, you can use the adverbial phrase en silencio.
Meaning: lack of sound (noun)
Which one should you use?
There are different ways to command silence depending on the situation. ¡Silencio! is a formal or authoritative command to be quiet. In contrast, ¡cállate! is a much more blunt and often rude way to tell someone to shut up.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form used to mean 'silent' is silencioso. Additionally, the verb silenciar means to make something silent.
How do you pronounce it?
/siˈlenθjo/
When do people say it?
The phrase Boca cerrada literally translates to 'closed mouth' and is used to mean 'keep your mouth shut'.
Did you know?
- The phrase silencio administrativo refers to a legal concept where a government's failure to respond to an application within a set time is treated as a decision.
- To describe a 'stony silence' or a heavy atmosphere, Spanish speakers use the phrase silencio sepulcral, which literally means 'sepulchral silence'.
- In Spanish, the phrase guardar silencio literally means 'to keep silence' and is used as a common way to request quiet in formal settings.
Examples in context
- El silencio es oro.Silence is golden.Tatoeba #1270879 by marcelostockle, translation #762939 by U2FS
- ¡Silencio en la sala!Silence in the court!Tatoeba #1937285 by Shishir, translation #1937261 by Scott
- Tom comía en silencio.Tom ate in silence.Tatoeba #1535140 by marcelostockle, translation #1531048 by Spamster
- Por favor, mantén el silencio en el teatroPlease, maintain silence in the theater
- ¡Cállate!Shut up!
- Cállense, por favorPlease, be quiet
- ¡Chitón! Que se va a despertar el bebéShh! The baby might wake up
- Cierra el picoShut your beak
- Solicito silencio durante el discursoI request silence during the speech
- Chitón, están durmiendoShh, they're sleeping
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are sitting in a quiet park.
- Daniel¿Te gusta este silencio?Do you like this silence?
- ElenaSí, Daniel, es muy tranquilo.Yes, Daniel, it is very peaceful.
- DanielA mí también me encanta.I love it too.
- ElenaEs perfecto para descansar.It is perfect for resting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silence” translations and entries silencio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
