General:
* Être silencieux/silencieuse: This is the most common and literal translation of "quiet." It means "to be silent."
* Être calme: This translates to "to be calm" and can also imply being quiet.
* Être tranquille: This translates to "to be peaceful" and can also imply being quiet and undisturbed.
Specific Situations:
* Faire silence: This translates to "make silence" and can be used when asking someone to be quiet.
* Se taire: This translates to "to be silent" and is often used when someone is told to be quiet, or when someone chooses to be silent.
Examples:
* "Les enfants sont silencieux." (The children are quiet.)
* "La bibliothèque est très calme." (The library is very calm.)
* "Il est important d'être tranquille pendant l'examen." (It's important to be peaceful during the exam.)
* "Fais silence, s'il te plaît!" (Be quiet, please!)
* "Il a décidé de se taire." (He decided to be silent.)
The best way to choose the correct phrase depends on the specific context and your intention.