Translation guide
How to tell someone to be quiet in Japanese, from polite requests to rude commands.
Asking someone to be quiet in a polite or formal situation.
Standard polite request meaning 'Please be quiet.'
図書館では静かにしてください。
Please be quiet in the library.
Polite but slightly formal, often used by staff or in announcements.
お静かにお願いします。
Please be quiet.
Telling a friend or equal to be quiet in a casual way.
Casual request meaning 'Be quiet.' Used among friends.
ちょっと静かにして。
Be quiet for a moment.
Literally 'shut up,' but can be used casually among close friends. Can sound harsh.
Can be rude if used with the wrong person.
黙ってよ。
Shut up.
Strongly telling someone to shut up, often in anger or frustration.
Forcing someone to stop talking immediately.
Japanese has many ways to say 'shut up,' ranging from polite requests to extremely rude commands. Using the wrong level can cause serious offense. When in doubt, use a polite form like 静かにしてください.
すみません、少し静かにしていただけますか。
Excuse me, could you please be a little quieter?
うるさい is the most common way to say 'shut up' in casual situations. It literally means 'noisy' but is used as an interjection. 黙れ is a direct command meaning 'shut up' and is much harsher. Use うるさい with friends, but avoid 黙れ unless you intend to be very rude.