Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cállate | /ˈkaʝate/ | |
| cállate la boca | /kaʝate la boka/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra la boca | /θjera la boka/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera la boka/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| cállanse | /kaʝanse/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra el pico | /θjera el piko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera el piko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
informal |
| cállate el hocico | /kaʝate el oθiko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kaʝate el osiko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
impolite, informal |
These phrases are used to command someone to stop talking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cállate el hocico literally translates to "shut your snout," using the word for an animal's muzzle to add an extra layer of insult. The phrase cierra el pico literally means "close the beak," which compares the person to a bird.
Which one should you use?
Cállate is a direct command to be quiet. Cierra la boca (close your mouth) is often used with a similar level of bluntness or aggression. Cierra el pico is an informal, idiomatic way to tell someone to stop talking, whereas cállate el hocico is much more insulting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate is the informal way to say "shut up." For a much more impolite and insulting option, you can use cállate el hocico. Cierra el pico is informal and idiomatic. If you need to be polite or formal, you should avoid these commands and instead use a phrase like Le agradecería que guardara silencio (I would appreciate it if you kept quiet).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Cállate is the singular informal imperative, used when speaking to one person. Cállanse is the plural imperative, used when addressing two or more people.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- The word boca likely shares a common ancestor with the English word 'beak'.
- Using cállate toward a superior or an elder is considered significantly more offensive in Spanish than saying 'shut up' is in English.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, making a 'shushing' sound with the tongue is more common than using the phrase cállate for a quick request for silence.
Examples in context
- Cállate o te echarán.Shut up or they'll throw you out.This example shows how to use cállate in a warning.Tatoeba #1678669 by termito2nd, translation #8955701 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Dije cierra la boca!I said shut up!This example uses cierra la boca to show an aggressive command.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This example uses cállate with a polite request word.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- ¡Ese nuevo videojuego es increíble! / Cállate, estoy intentando concentrarme en mi tarea.That new video game is amazing! / Shut up, I'm trying to focus on my homework.
- ¿Qué opinas del nuevo plan de estudios? / Haz el favor de callarte, estoy tratando de concentrarme.What do you think about the new curriculum? / Do me the favor of shutting up, I'm trying to concentrate.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing in a coffee shop.
- Javier¡Cállate, María!Shut up, María!
- María¿Por qué me hablas así?Why are you talking to me like that?
- JavierPorque no dejas de hablar.Because you won't stop talking.
- María¡Tú eres el que tiene que callarse!You are the one who should shut up!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations and entries cállate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
