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 |
All these forms are used to command someone to stop talking. While some are direct commands to be silent, others are idiomatic or highly insulting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cierra el pico literally means "close your beak", referring to a bird's beak. The phrase cállate el hocico literally means "shut your snout". Because hocico refers to the snout or muzzle of an animal, using this with a person is highly insulting.
Which one should you use?
Cállate is a direct command to be silent. In contrast, cierra la boca is a more literal command to "close your mouth" and can carry a similar level of rudeness depending on the tone used. Cierra el pico is a colorful, idiomatic way to tell someone to be quiet, whereas cállate el hocico is significantly more aggressive and insulting than the standard cállate.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate is the informal imperative form of callar. Cierra el pico is an informal way to speak, while cállate el hocico is considered impolite and is an informal, aggressive way to insult someone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Use cállate when addressing only one person. If you are addressing more than one person, use cállense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the phrase ¡Cállate! is used as an expression of disbelief or shock, similar to saying 'No way!' or 'Shut up!' in English.
- The Spanish word boca likely shares a common ancestor with the English word 'beak'. They both stem from the Latin word bucca, which originally meant 'cheek'.
- The verb callar can be used reflexively as callarse, which can mean 'to keep a secret' or 'to stay silent' rather than just a command to stop talking.
Examples in context
- Cállate o te echarán.Shut up or they'll throw you out.This sentence shows how to use cállate in a conditional context.Tatoeba #1678669 by termito2nd, translation #8955701 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Dije cierra la boca!I said shut up!This sentence demonstrates the forceful use of cierra la boca.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This sentence shows how to use cállate with an adverb for emphasis.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- Por favor, cállesePlease, be quiet
- ¡Cállate, por favor!Shut up, please!
- ¡Cierra el pico! Está bien, lo siento.Shut up! Okay, sorry.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are arguing in a quiet library.
- Daniel¡Cállate, Lucía!Shut up, Lucía!
- Lucía¿Por qué te enojas tanto?Why are you getting so angry?
- DanielPorque no dejas de hablar.Because you won't stop talking.
- LucíaEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll be quiet.
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.
