14 Ways To Say Shut Up In Spanish With Example Phrases And Expressions

Saying shut up in any language isn’t the best thing, but… it can be quite handy when you’re joking with friends or you’re really dealing with a noisy situation.

Check out this video by Spring Spanish (a project I co-founded) where we discussed these expressions in detail:

In this blog post, we’ll explore 14 different ways to express this phrase in Spanish, ranging from polite to downright rude ways to say shut up in Spanish.

We can categorize these expressions based on politeness from polite through neutral to rude. Here we go!

Polite ways to say shut up in Spanish

1. ¡Cállese! (Please be quiet)

This phrase is a polite way to ask someone to be quiet, used in formal situations or when addressing someone you respect.

It’s ideal in classrooms, meetings, or when speaking to elders.

Let’s take a look at how this would work in a real conversation:

• María: “¿Puedo hablar contigo un segundo?” (Can I talk to you for a second?)
• Carlos: “¡Cállese, por favor!” (Please be quiet!)

2. Silencio (Silence)

A straightforward way to ask for quiet, silencio is usually used in classrooms or meetings where focus is important.

It’s effective because it’s direct yet not aggressive.

Here’s how it might play out in a conversation:

• Profesor: “Silencio, por favor.” (Silence, please.)
• Estudiante: “Lo siento.” (I’m sorry.)

3. ¡Deja de hablar! (Stop talking)

This is a friendly way to tell someone to stop talking. It’s probably good for casual conversations with friends.

It’s light-hearted and can be used when someone is rambling on.

Let’s see this in action:

• Ana: “No puedo creer lo que pasó.” (I can’t believe what happened.)
• Luis: “¡Deja de hablar! Quiero escuchar.” (Stop talking! I want to listen.)

4. ¡No hables más! (Don’t talk anymore)

This phrase works well when you want someone to stop their chatter, in light-hearted situations.

It’s firm yet not overly harsh.

Imagine this scenario:

• Pedro: “Te dije que no quería ir.” (I told you I didn’t want to go.)
• Sofía: “¡No hables más! Vamos a divertirnos.” (Don’t talk anymore! We’re going to have fun.)

5. ¡Basta ya! (That’s enough now)

A gentle way to express that you’ve heard enough, this phrase is used in discussions where the topic is becoming too repetitive.

It’s assertive but not rude, probably ideal for group settings.

Here’s an example of how it could sound:

• Juan: “Pero yo creo que…” (But I think that…)
• Clara: “¡Basta ya! Cambiemos de tema.” (That’s enough now! Let’s change the subject.)

6. ¡Para de hablar! (Stop speaking)

This is another friendly expression to tell someone to halt their speech.

It’s effective when you want to redirect the conversation without sounding too harsh.

Let’s see how this might appear in dialogue:

• Marta: “No quiero ir a esa fiesta.” (I don’t want to go to that party.)
• David: “¡Para de hablar! Te vas a divertir.” (Stop speaking! You’re going to have fun.)

7. ¡Quédate callado/a! (Stay quiet)

This phrase can be used in both polite and informal contexts, depending on your tone!

It’s an all-round expression that can be playful or serious.

Here’s a practical example:

• Luz: “No sé qué hacer.” (I don’t know what to do.)
• Javier: “¡Quédate callado! Estoy pensando.” (Stay quiet! I’m thinking.)

Neutral ways to say shut up in Spanish

8. Cállate (Shut up)

A common expression among friends, cállate can be used light-heartedly or more seriously depending on the context.

Let’s take a look at how this can play out:

• Laura: “No creo que sea una buena idea.” (I don’t think it’s a good idea.)
• Miguel: “¡Cállate! Solo inténtalo.” (Shut up! Just try it.)

9. Cierra la boca (Close your mouth)

This is a bit more direct but still neutral. It can come off as a little blunt, so timing and tone are key.

Here’s how it might sound in conversation:

• Elena: “No puedo concentrarme.” (I can’t concentrate.)
• Raúl: “Cierra la boca un momento.” (Close your mouth for a moment.)

10. ¡Cállate un rato! (Shut up for a while)

A casual way to request silence for a short period, this phrase is great among friends.

It’s perfect when you need a moment of peace without sounding too aggressive.

Imagine this scenario:

• Santiago: “¿Por qué no me escuchas?” (Why don’t you listen to me?)
• Natalia: “¡Cállate un rato! Estoy ocupada.” (Shut up for a while! I’m busy.)

11. ¡Deja de molestar! (Stop bothering)

This phrase can be used when someone is being annoying or overly chatty.

It’s a straightforward way to ask someone to stop without being overly harsh.

Here’s how it could look in a conversation:

• Fernando: “¿Qué piensas de esto?” (What do you think about this?)
• Isabel: “¡Deja de molestar! Estoy trabajando.” (Stop bothering! I’m working.)

Rude ways to say shut up in Spanish

12. ¡Calla! (Shut up!)

A blunt and direct way to tell someone to be quiet, calla is on the ruder side. Use it with caution, as it can easily offend!

Let’s see this in context:

• Patricia: “No me gusta esto.” (I don’t like this.)
• Victor: “¡Calla!” (Shut up!)

13. ¡Cállate la boca! (Shut your mouth!)

This expression is more aggressive and should be used sparingly.

It can come off as rude, so it’s best reserved for heated moments or among very close friends.

Here’s how it might sound:

• Claudia: “Siempre tienes algo que decir.” (You always have something to say.)
• Raúl: “¡Cállate la boca!” (Shut your mouth!)

14. ¡Cierra el pico! (Shut your beak!)

This is a very informal and Spanish slang way to tell someone to be quiet.

It’s typically used among friends and can be playful… or rude. It all depends on the tone, so watch out!

Here’s a fun example of this in action:

• Gina: “No puedo soportarlo más.” (I can’t stand it anymore.)
• Luis: “¡Cierra el pico! Solo relájate.” (Shut your beak! Just relax.)

Practice these shut up in Spanish phrases with our worksheets

Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with the appropriate expressions from the blog post.

You can practice more if you request the full practice worksheet!

Learn how to tell someone to shut up in Spanish with Conversation Based Chunking

Conversation Based Chunking is a powerful technique that can revolutionize your way of learning Spanish.

By focusing on real Spanish conversation fragments, you’ll absorb the language as it is – naturally and practically.

Don’t stress if it seems a bit overwhelming at first – over time, you’ll see how your fluency improves without even realizing it. And you’ll know all the ways to say shut up in Spanish!

Practice makes perfect.

So get out there, look for opportunities to chat in Spanish, and put these chunks into practice.

Who knows?

Maybe on your next trip to Spain or Latin America, they might even mistake you for a local!