cállate
/ˈkaʝate/
The English phrase "zip it" translates to Spanish as cállate.
Cállate is used as an informal and blunt command to tell someone to stop talking immediately. It is a common way to say "shut up" among friends.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, people might use the phrase Cerrá el pico.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are telling more than one person to zip it, use the plural form cállense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of using a word, people might mimic the motion of a zipper across their lips to signal someone to 'zip it'.
- In Spain, a common way to tell someone to be quiet more forcefully is to say ¡Chitón!, which is an old exclamation used to demand silence.
- If you use cállate with a stranger or a superior, it is considered a profound insult rather than just a blunt request.
Examples in context
- ¡Cállate, por favor!Shut up, please!
- Solo cállate y escucha.Just zip it and listen.
- ¡Cállate ya, que estoy trabajando!Shut up already, I am working!
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are arguing in the middle of a library.
- Sofía¡Mateo, cállate!Mateo, zip it!
- Mateo¡Pero si no he dicho nada!But I haven't even said anything!
- SofíaEstás haciendo demasiado ruido.You are making too much noise.
- MateoEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cállate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
