hou je bek
The English phrase 'stfu' can be translated into Dutch as hou je bek.
hou je bek is a very rude and aggressive way to tell someone to stop talking immediately.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal command to 'hold your beak', where bek refers to the beak of an animal.
Which one should you use?
While hou je mond is a relatively neutral way to tell someone to be quiet, hou je bek is insulting and hostile. For a more direct and informal way to say shut up, you might use Kop dicht.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
hou je bek is significantly more aggressive and rude than the standard hou je mond. If you need a formal way to request someone to be quiet, use Houd uw mond.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is in the imperative mood, used to give a direct command. Although hou je bek is very common in spoken Dutch, houd je bek is the grammatically standard spelling of the imperative.
Did you know?
- The word bek entered the Dutch language via Old French from the Latin word beccus.
- Using hou je bek toward a superior or an elder in the Netherlands is considered one of the most severe verbal transgressions in social etiquette.
- In many Dutch dialects, you might hear people say kop dicht instead of hou je bek, which uses the word for 'head' to imply the person should shut their whole face.
Examples in context
- Hou je bek nu!Shut your mouth now!
- Ik zei: hou je bek.I said: shut up.
- Hou je bek en luister.Shut your mouth and listen.
Example conversation
Lucas and Julia are having a very heated argument.
- LucasIk ben klaar met deze discussie!I am done with this discussion!
- JuliaMaar je luistert niet eens naar mij!But you aren't even listening to me!
- LucasHou je bek, Julia!Shut your mouth, Julia!
- JuliaHoe durf je dat tegen me te zeggen?How dare you say that to me?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bek, hou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
