/kaˈʎaɾ/ ES
/kaˈʝaɾ/ MX
Translation
to be quiet, to shut up
Word origin
From Vulgar Latin callare ('to lower, to let down'), borrowed from Greek khalan ('to slacken, to loosen'). The sense shifted from lowering the voice to falling silent.
- Origin
- Greek
- Root
- khalan
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -ar conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | callo | callé | callaba | callaré | callaría |
| tú | callas | callaste | callabas | callarás | callarías |
| él/ella/ud. | calla | calló | callaba | callará | callaría |
| nos. | callamos | callamos | callábamos | callaremos | callaríamos |
| vos. | calláis | callasteis | callabais | callaréis | callaríais |
| ellos/uds. | callan | callaron | callaban | callarán | callarían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | calle | callara | callase |
| tú | calles | callaras | callases |
| él/ella/ud. | calle | callara | callase |
| nos. | callemos | calláramos | callásemos |
| vos. | calléis | callarais | callaseis |
| ellos/uds. | callen | callaran | callasen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | calla |
| ud. | calle |
| nosotros | callemos |
| vosotros | callad |
| uds. | callen |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- callando
- Past participle
- callado
Examples
, , .
Please be quiet a moment, I want to think.
.
The children won't be quiet for a minute.
, .
When the teacher came in, everyone went quiet.
, dime .
Don't stay quiet, tell me what you think.
.
She prefers to stay quiet and listen to others.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(1)Grammar articles
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callar: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "callar" (to be quiet, to shut up): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 21.