Meaning
To remain completely silent, not saying anything at all.
Cultural Background
Commonly used in casual conversation to describe someone who is being unusually quiet. Used frequently in family settings to tell children to be quiet. Often used in political or social contexts to describe people who are afraid to speak out.
Use it for emphasis
Don't use it for every situation. Use it when you really want to stress that someone was silent.
Don't over-formalize
This is a casual idiom. Keep it for friends and family.
Meaning
To remain completely silent, not saying anything at all.
Use it for emphasis
Don't use it for every situation. Use it when you really want to stress that someone was silent.
Don't over-formalize
This is a casual idiom. Keep it for friends and family.
Pair with 'ni'
Always remember the 'ni' before 'pío'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence.
Prometo que sobre este tema no diré ni ____.
The idiom is 'no decir ni pío'.
Which is the correct idiom?
Choose the correct phrase for 'absolute silence'.
The idiom is fixed as 'ni pío'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Qué te dijo el jefe? B: ____.
This is the standard idiomatic response.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You want to tell someone to keep a secret.
This is the correct way to ask for silence.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPrometo que sobre este tema no diré ni ____.
The idiom is 'no decir ni pío'.
Choose the correct phrase for 'absolute silence'.
The idiom is fixed as 'ni pío'.
A: ¿Qué te dijo el jefe? B: ____.
This is the standard idiomatic response.
You want to tell someone to keep a secret.
This is the correct way to ask for silence.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsUsually with 'decir'. It's the most natural pairing.
It can be if you tell someone to '¡No digas ni pío!' in a harsh tone.
No, it's a fixed expression.
No, it's too informal.
It sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Yes, it is widely understood.
Related Phrases
No decir ni palabra
synonymNot to say a word
Quedarse mudo
similarTo become mute
No abrir la boca
synonymNot to open one's mouth
