Translation guide
How to tell someone to be quiet in Japanese, from polite requests to harsh commands.
Politely asking someone to be quiet or lower their voice.
Standard polite request. Literally 'please be quiet'. Suitable for most situations where you need to ask politely.
図書館では静かにしてください。
Please be quiet in the library.
More formal and polite. Often used in announcements or when addressing a group.
お静かにお願いします。上映が始まります。
Please be quiet. The movie is starting.
Very polite way to ask someone to lower their voice. Literally 'Could you lower your voice?'
恐れ入りますが、声をひそめていただけますか。
I'm sorry to bother you, but could you please lower your voice?
Casually telling friends or family to be quiet.
Casual request. Used among friends, family, or when speaking to someone of equal or lower status.
ちょっと静かにして。電話してるから。
Be quiet for a sec. I'm on the phone.
Shortened casual form. Can sound blunt depending on tone.
静かに！赤ちゃんが寝てるよ。
Quiet! The baby is sleeping.
Forcefully telling someone to shut up or be quiet.
Literally 'noisy', but used as a strong 'Shut up!' or 'You're too loud!'. Very direct and can be rude.
うるさい！出て行け！
Shut up! Get out!
Imperative form of 'damaru' (to be silent). Very harsh, like 'Shut up!' Used in anger or by superiors.
だまれ！これ以上聞きたくない。
Shut up! I don't want to hear any more.
Literally 'Shut your mouth'. Very aggressive and rude. Used in fights or extreme anger.
口を閉じろ！さもないと殴るぞ。
Shut your mouth! Or I'll hit you.
Using sound words to tell someone to be quiet.
Indirectly suggesting someone be quiet without a direct command.
Literally 'Your voice is loud'. A softer way to point out someone is being noisy, often used among friends or colleagues.
ちょっと声が大きいですよ。周りに聞こえちゃう。
Your voice is a bit loud. People can hear.
Very indirect and polite. 'It would help if you could be a little quieter.' Used when you don't want to offend.
悪いんだけど、少し静かにしてもらえると助かるんだけど。
Sorry, but it would really help if you could be a little quieter.
Japanese has many levels of politeness. Using a harsh command like だまれ can be extremely offensive. When in doubt, use a polite form like 静かにしてください. Even among friends, うるさい can be strong; tone of voice matters a lot.
うるさい means 'noisy' and is used to tell someone they are being loud, often as a complaint. 静かにして is a direct request to 'be quiet'. うるさい can be more emotional and rude.