How to Say ‘Shut up!’ in German
Halt die Klappe!
hahlt dee KLAH-puh
[hahlt dee KLAH-puh]
💬 Usage Tip: With commands to one person you often use the plain verb form: [halt], [komm], [geh]. Compare [Halt die Klappe!] with [Komm her!]
🇩🇪 In Germany: [Halt die Klappe!] is very blunt and aggressive. It's much harsher than simply asking someone to be quiet.
Phrase Breakdown
Halt
[hahlt]
shut
Imperative of halten here used in the expression Halt die Klappe!, meaning shut up.
Halt die Klappe und hör zu!
Shut up and listen!
die
[dee]
the
Feminine accusative article, part of the fixed rude expression Halt die Klappe!.
Halt die Klappe und hör zu!
Shut up and listen!
Klappe
[KLAH-puh]
trap / mouth
Literally flap or trap; in slang it means mouth, making the phrase rude.
Halt die Klappe und hör zu!
Shut up and listen!
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