Meaning
Used to request someone to increase their speaking volume.
Cultural Background
In Spain, people tend to speak quite loudly in public spaces. Asking someone to speak 'más alto' is very common and rarely seen as a criticism of their personality. Mexican Spanish often uses 'más fuerte' instead of 'más alto'. There is also a tendency to use more 'diminutives' to sound more polite. In Argentina, you might hear 'Hablá más fuerte' using the 'voseo' (hablá instead of habla).
Add 'un poco'
Saying '¿Puedes hablar un poco más alto?' sounds much more natural and polite than the bare phrase.
Don't shout it
If you shout the request, it can sound aggressive. Keep your tone friendly.
Meaning
Used to request someone to increase their speaking volume.
Add 'un poco'
Saying '¿Puedes hablar un poco más alto?' sounds much more natural and polite than the bare phrase.
Don't shout it
If you shout the request, it can sound aggressive. Keep your tone friendly.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to ask someone to speak louder.
¿Puedes hablar más _______?
In Spanish, 'alto' is the standard word for 'loud' when referring to voice volume.
Which sentence is the most formal way to ask a stranger to speak louder?
Select the formal option:
Using 'puede' and 'usted' makes the request formal and respectful.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a library and someone is whispering too quietly for you to hear their question.
This is a polite way to ask for a slight increase in volume.
Complete the dialogue.
A: No te oigo nada. B: Perdón, ______.
If the other person can't hear, you should increase your volume.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to describe voice volume
High Volume
- • Alto
- • Fuerte
- • Gritando
Low Volume
- • Bajo
- • Susurrando
- • Callado
Practice Bank
4 exercises¿Puedes hablar más _______?
In Spanish, 'alto' is the standard word for 'loud' when referring to voice volume.
Select the formal option:
Using 'puede' and 'usted' makes the request formal and respectful.
You are in a library and someone is whispering too quietly for you to hear their question.
This is a polite way to ask for a slight increase in volume.
A: No te oigo nada. B: Perdón, ______.
If the other person can't hear, you should increase your volume.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsBoth are correct. 'Más alto' is more common in Spain, while 'más fuerte' is very popular in Latin America.
No, for a TV you should say 'Sube el volumen' or 'Ponlo más alto'.
Not if you use 'puede' (usted) and add 'por favor'. It's a very normal request.
Related Phrases
Hablar más fuerte
synonymTo speak more strongly/loudly.
Subir el volumen
similarTo turn up the volume.
Hablar más bajo
contrastTo speak more quietly.
