闭嘴
The English phrase 'stop talking' is translated into Chinese as 闭嘴.
The phrase 闭嘴 means 'shut up'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 闭嘴 is composed of 闭 (to close) and 嘴 (mouth), literally meaning 'close mouth'.
Which one should you use?
While 闭嘴 is a harsh command to 'shut up', 别说话了 is a softer way to say 'stop talking' or 'stop speaking'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
闭嘴 is an informal and often rude way to tell someone to shut up. It should be reserved for very informal situations with close friends or family members. For more polite or formal requests, you can use 请安静 (please be quiet / please stay silent) or 请不要说话 (please do not speak). In casual conversations among friends, 别说了 is also used to mean 'stop talking' or 'don't speak anymore'.
Did you know?
- If you want to tell someone to 'keep their mouth shut' regarding a secret, you might use the phrase 守口如瓶, which literally means 'to guard one's mouth like a bottle'.
- While 闭嘴 is a command, some people may jokingly use the phrase 闭麦 (close microphone) in online gaming or video calls to tell someone to stop talking.
- The phrase 闭嘴 is so blunt that using it in a professional setting would not just be rude, but could be seen as a complete breakdown of social 'face'.
Examples in context
- 请安静一下，我们要开始会议了。Please be quiet, we are about to start the meeting.
- 请不要说话，这是一个严肃的场合。Please do not speak, this is a serious occasion.
- 别说了，让我想一下。Stop talking, let me think for a moment.
- 你这么吵，闭嘴吧！You're so noisy, shut up!
- 你闭嘴！Nǐ bì zuǐ!Shut up!
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing in a library.
- 梓涵 Zihan你能不能闭嘴？Nǐ néng bù néng bì zuǐ?Can you just stop talking?
- 伟 Wei我没说什么。Wǒ méi shuō shén me.I'm not saying anything.
- 梓涵 Zihan你一直在说话。Nǐ yī zhí zài shuō huà.You are constantly talking.
- 伟 Wei好吧，我闭嘴。Hǎo ba, wǒ bì zuǐ.Fine, I'll stop talking.
