This phrase will come across as rude to some because it’s an order. It’s also an informal way of speech, so it shouldn’t be said to, say, a teacher. It’s a direct command.
Put the emphasis on the first syllable. [2] X Research source Use this term if you are telling a single person to shut up, not several people.
Sometimes people will shorten Stai zitto to zitto. Zitto’s plural is ziti and zitta is feminine. [4] X Research source Say Chiudi la bocca! This phrase means shut your mouth. Pronounce it kyoo-dee-LA-BOH-kah. Put the emphasis on the third and fourth syllables. This is considered an impolite way to say shut up because it literally means “shut your trap. ”[5] X Research source Some dictionaries label it a vulgar term and say it means shut your mouth or shut your face. [6] X Research source
Silenzioso! Be quiet (SEE- lehn-tzee-oh-soh). You can also say Silenzio! Speak fast if you want to sound Italian. Silenzioso is a more polite version of the word that would likely be said in a quieter fashion. [7] X Research source
There are only 7 vowel sounds in Italian. When two or more vowels occur in a row, pronounce them separately. Some vowel sounds depend on the part of Italy you’re in. Most words in Italian are phonetic, meaning they are pronounced the way they are written. Most consonants sound similar to the way they are pronounced in English. [9] X Research source The exceptions are the consonants c and g. These vary depending on the letters that follow them. Pronounce double consonants more forcefully than single consonants. [10] X Research source
The key is to say Italian vowels short and clear. Don’t draw them out. In English, you may end with a gliding sound. Italian is more abrupt. Open your mouth wide to form a big and round vowel sound. For example, the letter “a” should be spoken with a wide open mouth. Say “aahh!”
