siéntate y calla
/sjentate i kaʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "sit down and be quiet" is translated into Spanish as siéntate y calla.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to take a seat and stop talking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb siéntate, which literally means "sit yourself" and the verb calla, which is the imperative form of callar, meaning "to be silent".
Which one should you use?
Using the reflexive cállate instead of calla makes the command to be quiet much more forceful and can be perceived as rude, similar to "shut up". For addressing a group of people, use the plural form siéntense y callen.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase siéntate y calla uses the informal imperative (tú) form, which is used when speaking to a child, a friend or someone you know well.
Did you know?
- While calla is a command to be silent, the related word callado is often used in the phrase el que calla otorga, which means 'he who is silent agrees'.
- While calla is a direct command to be silent, the word callar is also used in the context of 'to suppress' or 'to hide' feelings, meaning a person can 'callar' their emotions.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, an authoritative figure might use the word sentarse to mean 'to sit', but if they say quédate sentado, they are often implying 'stay put' or 'don't move' rather than just a physical position.
Examples in context
- Juan, siéntate y cállate, por favor. Estoy tratando de escuchar.Juan, sit down and be quiet, please. I am trying to listen.
- Señora García, siéntese y guarde silencio, por favor. La reunión está a punto de comenzar.Mrs. Garcia, please sit down and be quiet. The meeting is about to begin.
- Siéntate y calla ahora mismo.Sit down and be quiet right now.
- ¡Siéntate y calla, que estoy hablando!Sit down and be quiet, I am talking!
Example conversation
A teacher is speaking to a student in a classroom.
- JavierElena, siéntate y calla, por favor.Elena, sit down and be quiet, please.
- ElenaLo siento, profesor Javier.I am sorry, Professor Javier.
- JavierLa clase ya va a empezar.The class is about to start.
- ElenaEstá bien, ya me siento.All right, I am sitting down now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
