Signification
Asking for increased volume.
Contexte culturel
Danes value 'hygge', which often involves intimate, low-volume conversations. However, they are also very practical. If you can't hear, just ask. It's not considered rude. In Greenlandic Danish, communication styles can be more indirect. While the phrase is understood, people might rely more on facial expressions to signal they can't hear. Faroese speakers of Danish might use slightly different intonation, but the phrase remains the standard for requesting volume. In areas with strong dialects (Sønderjysk), people might mumble more. Using 'Kan du tale højere?' is a polite way to get them to switch to a clearer 'Rigsdansk' (Standard Danish).
Add 'lidt'
Adding 'lidt' (a little) makes you sound 10x more like a native speaker and much more polite.
Don't shout
Asking someone to speak louder doesn't mean you should shout the request at them!
Signification
Asking for increased volume.
Add 'lidt'
Adding 'lidt' (a little) makes you sound 10x more like a native speaker and much more polite.
Don't shout
Asking someone to speak louder doesn't mean you should shout the request at them!
Eye contact
In Denmark, maintain eye contact when asking this; it shows you are genuinely interested in what they are saying.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask someone to speak louder.
Kan du ___ højere?
After the modal verb 'kan', we use the infinitive form 'tale'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask for more volume?
Choose the best option:
'Højere' is the comparative form required for this request.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a library and someone is whispering too quietly for you to hear.
In a library, 'Hvad sagde du?' is better as it doesn't encourage loud speaking, just a repetition.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg har en hemmelighed... B: Undskyld, jeg kan ikke høre dig. ___?
The context of 'not hearing' requires a request for volume.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKan du ___ højere?
After the modal verb 'kan', we use the infinitive form 'tale'.
Choose the best option:
'Højere' is the comparative form required for this request.
You are in a library and someone is whispering too quietly for you to hear.
In a library, 'Hvad sagde du?' is better as it doesn't encourage loud speaking, just a repetition.
A: Jeg har en hemmelighed... B: Undskyld, jeg kan ikke høre dig. ___?
The context of 'not hearing' requires a request for volume.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in Danish 'højere' is used for both 'higher' (altitude) and 'louder' (volume).
Yes! 'Snakke' is more informal than 'tale', but both work perfectly.
Add 'er du sød' or just 'tak' at the end: 'Kan du tale højere, tak?'
No, if you can't hear them, it's better to ask than to miss important information. Just use a polite tone.
Then you might say 'Jeg forstår ikke' (I don't understand) instead.
Danish grammar prefers the '-ere' ending for short adjectives like 'høj'.
No, when used as an adverb modifying 'tale', it stays 'højere'.
The opposite would be 'Kan du tale lavere?' (Can you speak lower/quieter?).
For music, it's better to say 'Skru op' (Turn up).
Yes, it can be, but context usually makes it clear you mean volume.
Expressions liées
Hvad siger du?
similarWhat are you saying?
Tal tydeligere
builds onSpeak more clearly
Skru op
specialized formTurn it up
Ti stille
contrastBe quiet
Jeg hørte det ikke
similarI didn't hear it
