Translation guide
How to tell someone to be quiet in Japanese, from gentle requests to sharp commands.
Politely or softly asking someone to lower their voice or stop talking.
Polite request meaning 'Please be quiet.' Suitable for most situations where you need to ask someone to quiet down without being rude.
図書館では静かにしてください。
Please be quiet in the library.
Casual, shortened form of 'be quiet.' Used among friends or in informal settings. Can sound a bit direct if used with strangers.
静かに、赤ちゃんが寝てるよ。
Shh, the baby is sleeping.
The Japanese equivalent of 'shh!' — a soft hissing sound used to hush someone. Common with children or in quiet settings.
しーっ、静かにして。
Shh, be quiet.
Telling someone forcefully to shut up or stop making noise.
Blunt command meaning 'Shut up!' Very strong and rude. Used in anger or by authority figures. Avoid in polite conversation.
Extremely impolite; can cause offense. Use only when you intend to be harsh.
黙れ！誰もお前に聞いてない。
Shut up! Nobody asked you.
Literally means 'noisy,' but often used as an exclamation meaning 'Shut up!' or 'You're too loud!' Common in casual arguments.
うるさいなあ、静かにしてよ。
You're so noisy, be quiet!
Polite but firm command, often used by teachers or in formal settings to request silence. Literally 'Be quiet' with honorific prefix.
皆さん、お静かに。
Everyone, quiet please.
Softly telling someone to be quiet in a friendly or affectionate way, often with children or pets.
The standard 'shh' sound, used playfully or gently. Often accompanied by a finger to the lips.
しーっ、サプライズだから静かにね。
Shh, it's a surprise so be quiet.
Means 'secret' or 'keep it quiet.' Used when telling someone to hush about a secret or surprise.
この話はないしょだよ。
This is a secret, okay? (Keep it quiet.)
English 'shh!' is often translated as しーっ, but this is only appropriate in very specific contexts (like with children). In most situations, use a phrase like 静かにしてください or 静かに to ask someone to be quiet.
しーっと言う代わりに「静かにしてください」と言ってください。
Instead of saying 'shh,' please say 'shizuka ni shite kudasai.'
静かに (shizuka ni) is a neutral request to be quiet, while 黙れ (damare) is a harsh command meaning 'shut up.' Use 静かに in most situations, and avoid 黙れ unless you intend to be very rude.
友達には「静かに」と言えますが、「黙れ」は喧嘩の時だけです。
You can say 'shizuka ni' to a friend, but 'damare' is only for fights.