Meaning
An imperative to stop making noise.
Cultural Background
The 'Mittagsruhe' (midday quiet) is a traditional period between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM where loud noises are discouraged in residential areas. Similar to Germany, but 'Sei stad!' is a common dialectal variation in many Austrian regions. Swiss German speakers might use 'Sii ruhig' or 'Sii still', often with a very melodic intonation that can make the command sound less harsh. Teachers often use a non-verbal signal (like raising a hand) before saying 'Seid still!', teaching children the importance of communal silence.
Add 'bitte'
Always add 'bitte' (please) to make 'Sei still' sound like a request rather than an order.
Watch your tone
A sharp 'Sei still!' can end a friendship. Use a soft voice if you just need a moment of peace.
Meaning
An imperative to stop making noise.
Add 'bitte'
Always add 'bitte' (please) to make 'Sei still' sound like a request rather than an order.
Watch your tone
A sharp 'Sei still!' can end a friendship. Use a soft voice if you just need a moment of peace.
Use 'leise' for volume
If someone is talking but just too loudly, 'Sei leise' is more accurate and polite than 'Sei still'.
Test Yourself
Which form is correct when talking to a close friend?
____ still!
'Sei' is the singular informal imperative for 'du'.
Fill in the plural form for a group of children.
Kinder, ____ still!
'Seid' is the plural informal imperative for 'ihr'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a library and someone is shouting.
In a public place with strangers, the formal 'Sie' form with 'bitte' is most appropriate.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum redest du so viel? B: Entschuldigung, ich werde jetzt ____.
After 'werde' (future tense), you need the infinitive 'still sein'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Levels of Silence
Practice Bank
4 exercises____ still!
'Sei' is the singular informal imperative for 'du'.
Kinder, ____ still!
'Seid' is the plural informal imperative for 'ihr'.
You are in a library and someone is shouting.
In a public place with strangers, the formal 'Sie' form with 'bitte' is most appropriate.
A: Warum redest du so viel? B: Entschuldigung, ich werde jetzt ____.
After 'werde' (future tense), you need the infinitive 'still sein'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt depends on the tone and context. To a child, it's normal. To a stranger, it's very rude.
'Still' means no sound at all. 'Leise' means low volume.
Use 'Könnten Sie bitte etwas leiser sein?' Never use 'Sei still'.
Usually no. For 'don't move', use 'Bleib stehen' or 'Beweg dich nicht'.
The plural is 'Seid still!'.
Yes, 'Seien Sie still!', but it is rarely used because it sounds quite harsh for a formal setting.
It means 'quiet as a little mouse'—completely silent.
You can, but it sounds like you are in a 19th-century novel or a poem.
'Sei' is the imperative (command) form, while 'bin' is the indicative (fact) form.
No, 'Halt den Mund' is much more aggressive, like 'Shut up'.
Related Phrases
Sei leise
similarBe quiet (low volume)
Halt den Mund
specialized formShut your mouth
Schweig!
formalSilence! / Be silent!
Ruhe!
synonymQuiet!
Mäuschenstill
builds onQuiet as a mouse
