guarda silencio
/ɡwaɾda silenθjo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'be quiet' is guarda silencio.
This phrase is used as a request or command for someone to stop making noise. Depending on the context, there are several ways to express this, such as Silencio, por favor for a polite request of silence or Mantengan silencio, por favor which is common in formal settings like libraries or theaters.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase guarda silencio literally translates to 'keep silence' or 'guard silence'.
Which one should you use?
The specific form you use depends on who you are addressing. Use guarda silencio for one person informally, guarde silencio for one person formally and guarden silencio when addressing a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form guarda silencio uses the imperative command form for the informal 'tú' (you).
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡwaɾda silenθjo/
Did you know?
- The word guarda comes from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to guard', making it a linguistic relative of the English word 'warden'.
- Depending on the region, a very informal way to tell someone to be quiet is cállate, which is more aggressive than guarda silencio and literally means 'shut up'.
- Spanish uses the same root word guarda in guarda silencio as it does for 'saving' money or 'keeping' a secret.
Examples in context
- Por favor, guarda silencio.Please be quiet.This sentence shows how to use guarda silencio with 'por favor' to be polite.Tatoeba #727319 by darinmex, translation #449049 by CK
- ¡Cállate o podrían llamar a la policía!Be quiet or they might call the police!
- Guarda silencio en la biblioteca, por favor.Please be quiet in the library.
- Guarda silencio ahora que el bebé duerme.Be quiet now that the baby is sleeping.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are studying in a quiet room.
- ElenaMateo, guarda silencio que estoy concentrada.Mateo, be quiet, I am concentrating.
- MateoLo siento, no me di cuenta.I'm sorry, I didn't realize.
- ElenaGracias, necesito terminar este trabajo.Thanks, I need to finish this work.
- MateoEstá bien, no haré más ruido.Alright, I won't make any more noise.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guarda, silencio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
