Spanish Conversation · Level 20
90 words
Spanish word
callar
Pronunciation
IPA/kaˈʝaɾ/
Meaning
- verbbe quiet
Example
¿Puedes callarte, por favor?
Can you be quiet, please?
More examples
Durante la película, la gente debe callarse.
During the movie, people should be quiet.
Core concept
A closed mouth with a finger held to the lips.
Common phrases
callarse la boca
shut up
hacer callar
silence
Similar words
callarse: Becomes quiet by stopping oneself from speaking.
guardar silencio: Maintains a state of silence.
silenciar: Makes a person or device stop producing sound.
enmudecer: Suddenly becomes unable to speak from shock, pain, or surprise.
Definition in Spanish
Dejar de hablar; en forma pronominal (callarse) indica que uno mismo guarda silencio.
Word origin
Derived from Vulgar Latin and related to Portuguese calar, with the reflexive callarse used when the action refers back to the subject.
Usage tips
- In affirmative commands the clitic attaches to the verb (cállate, with an accent) while in negative commands the pronoun precedes the verb (no te calles).