Chinese phrases
How to say be quiet in Chinese
Be quiet in Chinese is 安静 (ān jìng), but said alone it is an order. To ask someone politely, say 小声点 (xiǎo shēng diǎn), “a bit quieter.”
安静
quiet; be quiet
Ways to say be quiet
安静
Everydayquiet!
A teacher to a class, a parent to noisy kids. Firm. Often 安静一点.
小声点
Everydaya bit quieter, please
The normal way to ask someone to keep it down: in a cinema, on a train, a roommate on the phone. With strangers, start with 不好意思.
请安静
Writtenplease be quiet
On signs in libraries and hospitals, and in announcements. You see it more than you hear it.
嘘
Everydayshh
With a finger to your lips: for a sleeping baby or a quiet moment in a film.
别吵了
With friendsstop the noise
To noisy kids or friends, a little annoyed.
轻点
Everydaykeep it down; gently
When the noise comes from movement: a door, heavy steps, late at night.
Common mistakes
Using 闭嘴
闭嘴 means “shut up.” It is rude unless you are joking with close friends, and to a stranger it can start a fight. Ask with 小声点.
Saying 安静 to a stranger
A bare 安静 sounds like a teacher to a class. To a stranger, ask: 不好意思，能小声点吗?
Hearing 别吵了 only as “be quiet”
吵 also means “to argue.” Said to two people, 别吵了 means “stop arguing.”
On a night train
不好意思，能小声点吗？
Leon: Excuse me, could you keep it down a bit?
好的，不好意思。
Passenger: Sure, sorry.
谢谢。
Leon: Thanks.
