How do you politely ask someone to be quiet in Spanish?

How to ask someone to quiet down in Spanish?

There are going to be some times where you just need some darn peace and quiet – so how do you ask someone to quiet down in Spanish? There are a few ways, depending on what exactly you are trying to convey, and how you want to come across…

Of course, always remember to say “please” (assuming that being polite is your goal. If it is not, not only can you refrain from saying please, but you can sprinkle in some Spanish cusses as well.)

SpanishEnglishContext
Cállate Quiet down (informal) A common way of telling someone that you know well to be quiet. It is informal, but not necessarily rude, depending on your tone.
Cállese Quiet down (formal) When you want to politely ask someone to quiet down, such as in a movie theater or play
Silencio Silence Typically used for a group, such as a classroom
Cierra la boca Shut your mouth Slightly more intence. Used where you might say "shut up", "shut your trap" or "shut it" in English.
Cierra el pico Shut your lips Slightly more intence. Used where you might say "shut up", "shut your trap" or "shut it" in English.
¿Por qué no te callas? Why don’t you just shut up? When you are really getting exasperated with someone who won't quiet down
Guarden silencio Be quiet Typically used for a group, such as a classroom
Cállate la boca Shut up! A more rude and aggressive way of telling someone to shut up in Spanish
Chitón Shush A casual way of telling someone to "shush!" in Spanish
Estate quieto Be quiet More common way of telling someone to quiet down in Mexico
Quedate quieto Keep quiet Has a connotation of "keeping still and quiet".
No hagas ruido Don't make noise Used when someone is making undue noise

Please be quiet...?

What is the proper and polite way to ask someone to please be quiet? My friends use one method quite often but i dont believe that it is very friendly

How do you politely ask someone to be quiet in Spanish?

6918 views

updated ABR 4, 2010

posted by KMcNiel

4 Answers

Que se calle, por favor. Cállese, por favor. No haga ruído, por favor.

updated ABR 4, 2010

posted by 003487d6

Sea callado por favor. or tranquilo por favor.

updated ABR 4, 2010

posted by kenwilliams

estarse callado.porfavor.

updated ABR 4, 2010

posted by nehomi

So then how do you tell someone to shut up? just out of curiosity

updated ABR 4, 2010

posted by KMcNiel

Callate . With the accent on the 1st a . - Bunbury, ABR 4, 2010

Cállate ! - ian-hill, ABR 4, 2010

oh okay thanks a bunch! - KMcNiel, ABR 4, 2010

Cierra la boca is another way (rude!) - 003487d6, ABR 4, 2010

haha yeah i have a friend that tells me that alot... - KMcNiel, ABR 4, 2010

HomeQ&APolite ways to say "be quiet"

Polite ways to say "be quiet"

I'm translating some dialogue into Spanish. It's an informal conversation between very close friends: one of them is teasing the other and she tells him to "shut up". I know "shut up" is rude, but it's acceptable between friends in informal settings. Is "cállate" inappropriate? Are there any other informal ways to tell a friend to be quiet?

7014 views

updated OCT 20, 2011

posted by bailarina95

3 Answers

You could say:

anda...¡cállate!

Makes it less harsh, even though we say this all the time anyway

How do you politely ask someone to be quiet in Spanish?

updated OCT 20, 2011

posted by 00494d19

Yes, "¡cállate!" is okay if said with a smile.

updated OCT 19, 2011

posted by --Mariana--

Thank you! Just wanted to be sure :) - bailarina95, OCT 19, 2011

Silencio. Or is that too formal?

There's also "calla", which is a bit softer than callate.

updated OCT 20, 2011

posted by rodneyp

Silencio is a bit formal for what I'm looking for...thanks, though! - bailarina95, OCT 20, 2011

How do you say be quiet in Mexico?

Guarden silencio – Be quiet / Shut up.

How do you flip someone off in Spanish?

It's common to hear me marcho in Spanish when someone is leaving a party or get together (similar to me voy). The imperative tú form (marcha) makes it a command, like vete, which means you are telling someone else to leave. Que te vayas – One more level up from vete and vete ya is que te vayas.

What are different ways to say no in Spanish?

For today, let me show you how to say “no” in Spanish in a polite manner and also in more informal or colloquial ways..
No. ... .
No gracias – No, thank you. ... .
Nop – Nope. ... .
Nel – Nah. ... .
Ni en tus sueños – In your dreams. ... .
Por supuesto que no – Of course not. ... .
Para nada – Not at all. ... .
Claro que no – Of course not..