UK : A word "Shut up" ?

Question

Is this a word "shut up" is very rude? or it is ok to use with close friends when joking?!?

Answer 1

I would not advise people that don't speak English as a first language to use 'shut up'. English speaking people have a natural instinct when it comes to using this term. It can be used to be terribly rude and aggressive or playfully casual. There is a very thin line between it sounding extremely aggressive, rude or friendly. A person that does not speak English will find it difficult to detect or express the tone when using it. In general it is VERY RUDE. It is not a term that one should proudly use. It is crude, even informally, and there are many proper and apt expressions in English that will cover all uses of the term.

With all respect,

Answer 2

It's all right for informal use with friends when modified in some way -- eg. "Please shut up!". You should not really use the words on their own, as they are very abrupt. You shouldn't say it to older people, as it would be viewed as very disrespectful. I remember an occasion in the distant past when Sir Malcolm Sarjeant was conducting the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall (which is always televised) and became rather exasperated with the audience and said to them: "Oh do shut up!" which seemed utterly appropriate in that setting and made people laugh! He could get away with it.

Answer 3

The expression in Welsh is.."Cau dy geg"
It is not polite and should be kept for instances when you are angry with someone. Chavs, however (Vicky Pollard is a case in point) use it in jest to each other I personally find it very rude but I have been brought up properly and taught what is and what isn't polite.

Answer 4

There are far worse things that could be-and are-said. As in almost everything in life, what you can get away depends on a host of factors. But, doesn't intuition tell you when using an expression is OK and when it is not. If not etiquettes and experience surely will.

Answer 5

Yes. "Shut up", as an instruction, is the imperative form of the colloquial verb "shut up". The infinitive is "to shut up", and consists of a main verb (shut) plus an adverbial (up). The adverbial defines how the main verb should be completed. Eg. How should the person shut? Up. Though the term "shut up" can form part of a verb phrase, alone or when used in its imperative form, it is not a verb phrase. A verb phrase consists of a main verb preceded by a helping, or auxiliary, verb. Examples of verb phrases are "have written" (to have written), or "is cycling" (to be cycling).

Answer 6

If used in a jokey sense with friends it should not be considered insulting. It is the tone of voice in which it is said that largely determines the sense intended.If said sharply, usually to someone who is annoying you , it could be considered rude but you would not worry about that if you were upset at the person to whom the remark was made.A more polite expression might be " please don't say that".

Answer 7

It means "be quiet", but is not very polite. I don't use it myself. With close family or friends it's OK to use though. Alot depends on the tone of your voice and the context in which it is said.

Answer 8

Tone of voice is so important ! (Is it the same in Thai?)

By the way, you don't need "is" a second time, as it's a question. "Is the phrase 'shut up' very rude?" would be a better way to ask it.

Answer 9

It can be used as slang for friends or having a joke. It can be classed as rude though, Just think how many times do vicky pollard and lauren cooper manage to say it to anyone they can though!

Answer 10

both situations ::::: its in the tone of the voice where it is coming from that states a joke or a straight remark .....(some people do need to be told to shut up)