How to Say Shut up in Japanese

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Say "damare" as a good all-around "shut up."

   Try this easy phrase for your everyday "shut up" usage.
   
   It's pronounced "dah-mah-ray." "Dah" and "mah" both more or less rhyme with "raw".
   
   Note that the r sound used here is light and fast like a Spanish r.
   
   The r is pronounced with a light flick of the tongue, almost like an English d or the two ts in the word "butter."In Japanese, this phrase is written "黙れ".
   
   If you really want to make an impression, try rolling the r sound at the end of the word.
   
   This can be used in Japanese to give great emotion or emphasis to a word.
   
   This, too resembles the Spanish rolled r sound.
2. 2

   Step 2: To speak from a position of authority

   If you want to tell someone to shut up as if you are someone with power over them (like a boss or a policeman), use this option.
   
   It's pronounced "dah-mah-ree-nah-sigh." The the first three syllables are just like "damare," only with a long e sound (as in "tea") at the end. "Nah" also rhymes with "raw" and the final "sigh" is pronounced like the English word.
   
   The approximate meaning here is "silence!" This phrase is written "黙りなさい". , This phrase literally means "noisy," but implies that the person you're talking about should shut up.
   
   It's pronounced "yah-kah-mah-shee" (basically how its English form is spelled).
   
   The one thing to watch out for is the "shee" at the end — in Japanese, these long vowels at the ends of words are held about twice as long as normal vowels.
   
   This can give this phrase an almost "whining" quality to an English ear as the final syllable is held out for something like "yakamasheeee."This phrase is written "やかましい". , This phrase is very similar in meaning to yakamashī.
   
   It's pronounced "ooh-roo-sigh." Note that, in Japanese, the lips don't move forward for the long u sound.Thus, the vowel sounds in "ooh" and "roo" should sound about halfway between the "oo" in "root" and the u in "rut." This can take a little practice.
   
   This phrase is written "うるさい".
   
   Don't forget to use the light, quick r sound by flicking your tongue against the top of your mouth. , for an angry "be quiet!" This phrase is basically an abrupt, rude way to ask for quiet.
   
   It's a good choice if you've already asked someone nicely to be quiet and gotten no response.
   
   Pronounce this phrase "shee-zoo-kah knee shee-roh yo." Remember again that the Japanese u sound is made without moving the lips forward.
   
   This phrase is written "静か に 白 よ". , Japanese doesn't have true "swear words" the way that other languages do, but it does have insults you can add to your phrases to express how upset you are with someone. "Yarou" is one of these insults — its meaning is somewhat similar to "bastard" or "unpleasant person" in English."Yarou" is pronounced roughly like "yeah-row".
   
   Use the short a sound (as in "apple") for the first syllable — the second is similar to the English word "row.
   
   To use this word, add it after you say an adjective like "urusai" or "yakamashi." For instance, "urusai yarou" means, basically, "shut up, you noisy, annoying person." "Yarou" is written "野郎".
3. 3

   Step 3: say "damarinasai."

4. 4

   Step 4: Say "yakamashī" for a semi-rude form of "you're being too loud."

5. 5

   Step 5: Alternatively

6. 6

   Step 6: say "urusai."

7. 7

   Step 7: Say "shizuka ni shiro yo!"

8. 8

   Step 8: Use "yarou" at the end to emphasize your anger or contempt.

Detailed Guide

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