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QUICK ANSWER
"Callarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to be quiet", and "callar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to keep quiet". Learn more about the difference between "callarse" and "callar" below.
callarse(
kah
-
yahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be quiet
¿Puedes callarte un rato? Necesito descansar.Can you be quiet for a while? I need some rest.
b. to shut up
¡Cállate de una vez! ¡Me estás dando dolor de cabeza!Shut up once and for all! You're giving me a headache!
a. to keep quiet
Prefiero callarme antes de decir algo de lo que me podría arrepentir.I'd rather keep quiet than say something I'm going to regret.
callar
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to keep quiet
Mejor callar y esperar que no se repita.We'd better keep quiet and hope it doesn't happen again.
b. to shut up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Calla! Ya has dicho suficiente.Shut up! You've already said enough.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
5. (to silence) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to keep quiet about
Callaron lo ocurrido por miedo a las represalias.They kept quiet about what happened for fear of retaliation.
b. to keep to oneself
No calles tus preocupaciones. Estamos aquí para ayudar.Don't keep your worries to yourself. We're here to help.
callar(
kah
-
yahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to keep quiet
Mejor callar y esperar que no se repita.We'd better keep quiet and hope it doesn't happen again.
b. to shut up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Calla! Ya has dicho suficiente.Shut up! You've already said enough.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (to silence) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to keep quiet about
Callaron lo ocurrido por miedo a las represalias.They kept quiet about what happened for fear of retaliation.
b. to keep to oneself
No calles tus preocupaciones. Estamos aquí para ayudar.Don't keep your worries to yourself. We're here to help.
callarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be quiet
¿Puedes callarte un rato? Necesito descansar.Can you be quiet for a while? I need some rest.
b. to shut up
¡Cállate de una vez! ¡Me estás dando dolor de cabeza!Shut up once and for all! You're giving me a headache!
a. to keep quiet
Prefiero callarme antes de decir algo de lo que me podría arrepentir.I'd rather keep quiet than say something I'm going to regret.
