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.
Please be quiet in the library.
More formal and polite. Often used in announcements or when addressing a group.
Very polite way to ask someone to lower their voice. Literally 'Could you 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.
Forcefully telling someone to shut up or be quiet.
Using sound words to tell someone to be quiet.
The Japanese equivalent of 'Shh!' Used to hush someone, often with a finger to the lips.
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.
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.
You're so noisy. (complaint)
Please be quiet. The movie is starting.
I'm sorry to bother you, but could you please lower your voice?
Be quiet for a sec. I'm on the phone.
Shortened casual form. Can sound blunt depending on tone.
Quiet! The baby is sleeping.
Literally 'noisy', but used as a strong 'Shut up!' or 'You're too loud!'. Very direct and can be rude.
Shut up! Get out!
Imperative form of 'damaru' (to be silent). Very harsh, like 'Shut up!' Used in anger or by superiors.
Shut up! I don't want to hear any more.
Literally 'Shut your mouth'. Very aggressive and rude. Used in fights or extreme anger.
Shut your mouth! Or I'll hit you.
しーっ！静かに！
Shh! Be quiet!
Another way to write 'shh'. Often used in manga.
Shh! Someone's coming.
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.
Sorry, but it would really help if you could be a little quieter.
Can you be quiet? (request)