Signification
Saying nothing.
Contexte culturel
The 'Coro a bocca chiusa' from Puccini's Madama Butterfly is one of the most famous examples of this phrase in high culture. It represents the protagonist's silent, hopeful waiting. Historically, 'stare a bocca chiusa' was linked to the social code of silence. While today it's a general idiom, it carries a historical weight of discretion and protection of the community. Manners are very important in Italy. 'Mangiare a bocca chiusa' is a fundamental rule of 'Il Galateo' (the book of manners). Many modern singers, like Daniele Silvestri, use 'A bocca chiusa' in their lyrics to talk about political silence or the inability to speak out.
Secret Weapon
Use 'Starò a bocca chiusa' to instantly sound more native when someone tells you a secret.
Manners Matter
If someone tells you 'Mangia a bocca chiusa', they aren't talking about secrets—they're telling you your chewing is too loud!
Signification
Saying nothing.
Secret Weapon
Use 'Starò a bocca chiusa' to instantly sound more native when someone tells you a secret.
Manners Matter
If someone tells you 'Mangia a bocca chiusa', they aren't talking about secrets—they're telling you your chewing is too loud!
Verb Choice
Use 'rimanere' for long periods of silence and 'stare' for the immediate act of keeping a secret.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Se ti dico un segreto, devi stare a ______ ______.
The idiom for keeping a secret is 'a bocca chiusa'.
Which verb is MOST commonly used with 'a bocca chiusa' to mean 'to keep a secret'?
Per mantenere il segreto, Marco ______ a bocca chiusa.
'Stare a bocca chiusa' is the standard way to express staying quiet.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
Situazione: Sei a un concerto e il coro canta senza aprire la bocca.
In music, humming is called 'cantare a bocca chiusa'.
Fill in the missing line.
A: 'Hai detto a Giulia della festa?' B: 'No, sono ______ a bocca chiusa.'
'Rimanere' (past participle: rimasto) is used to describe staying in a state of silence.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSe ti dico un segreto, devi stare a ______ ______.
The idiom for keeping a secret is 'a bocca chiusa'.
Per mantenere il segreto, Marco ______ a bocca chiusa.
'Stare a bocca chiusa' is the standard way to express staying quiet.
Situazione: Sei a un concerto e il coro canta senza aprire la bocca.
In music, humming is called 'cantare a bocca chiusa'.
A: 'Hai detto a Giulia della festa?' B: 'No, sono ______ a bocca chiusa.'
'Rimanere' (past participle: rimasto) is used to describe staying in a state of silence.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, it is generally neutral. However, telling someone else to 'stare a bocca chiusa' can be a bit direct, similar to 'keep your mouth shut'.
Yes, 'cantare a bocca chiusa' is the standard way to say 'to hum' in a musical context.
'Acqua in bocca' is an idiom specifically for secrets. 'A bocca chiusa' can mean secrets, but also general silence or table manners.
There isn't really a polite way to say 'shut up', but 'Puoi fare silenzio, per favore?' is much better than 'Stai a bocca chiusa'.
No, the phrase 'a bocca chiusa' stays the same because 'chiusa' agrees with 'bocca' (feminine), not the person you are talking to.
Expressions liées
Acqua in bocca
synonymKeep it a secret
A bocca aperta
contrastSurprised/Shocked
Zitto e mosca
similarBe quiet and don't make a sound
Cucirsi la bocca
builds onTo sew one's mouth shut
