How to say “Shut up” in Korean
- 조용히 해joyonghi hae
Be quiet
"Shut up" in Korean is 닥쳐 (dakchyeo), but it is one of the rudest everyday words you can say, so most learners should use 조용히 해 (joyonghi hae), "be quiet", instead. In polite situations, say 조용히 해 주세요 (joyonghi hae juseyo), "please be quiet".
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 조용히 해 joyonghi hae | Casual | "Be quiet." Blunt but not offensive. Fine with friends or younger siblings, too bossy for elders. |
| 조용히 해 주세요 joyonghi hae juseyo | Polite | "Please be quiet." The only safe version for strangers, customers or older people. |
| 그만해 geumanhae | Casual | "Stop it." Blunt but not a swear word. Used with friends and family. |
| 시끄러워 sikkeureowo | Casual | "You're so loud!" Used like a teasing "shut up" between friends or siblings. Rude to anyone older. |
| 입 다물어 ip damureo | Casual | "Shut your mouth." Rude and harsh. Never to elders, teachers, a boss or strangers. |
| 닥쳐 dakchyeo | Casual | "Shut up!" Very rude and aggressive, the word you hear in drama fights. Never say it to parents, elders, teachers, a boss, customers or strangers. |
Examples
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Asking people in a library to keep it down
Teasing a little brother
A friend keeps teasing you
Tips
From mildest to rudest: 조용히 해 주세요 (polite), 조용히 해 and 그만해 (blunt), 시끄러워 (teasing, rude to elders), 입 다물어 (rude), 닥쳐 (very rude). The last two can start a real fight.
Even very close friends only say 닥쳐 jokingly, and plenty of people find it offensive even then. Never say it, even as a joke, to parents, grandparents, teachers, a boss, customers or anyone older or unfamiliar.
If you just want quiet, asking softly works best in Korea: 조금만 조용히 해 주세요 (jogeumman joyonghi hae juseyo) means "Please be a little quieter."
More on 닥쳐 in our Korean phrase guides.
Questions learners ask
How rude is 닥쳐?
Very rude. It is like an angry "shut up!" and is used in fights. It is never acceptable with elders, teachers, a boss or strangers.
How do I politely ask someone to be quiet?
Say 조용히 해 주세요 (joyonghi hae juseyo), or more softly, 조금만 조용히 해 주세요 (jogeumman joyonghi hae juseyo).