ruido fuerte
/rwido fweɾte/from spelling rules
The English phrase "loud noise" is translated into Spanish as ruido fuerte.
ruido fuerte is used to describe a sound that has a high volume. While the word fuerte literally translates to "strong", it is the standard adjective used in Spanish to indicate high volume. Using ruido alto is less common and tends to sound unnatural to native speakers.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ruido (noise) and fuerte (strong/loud).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the word barullo is used to denote a loud uproar or commotion.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ruido is a masculine noun, the indefinite article must be un (as in un ruido fuerte) rather than the feminine una. To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix '-s', resulting in ruidos fuertes.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, a ruido is not just a sound but can be used to describe a 'rumor' or a 'buzz' circulating among people.
- The Spanish word ruido and the word for a roar rugido are doublets because they both originate from the same Latin root.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you call a noise alto, people might think you are describing the pitch of the sound rather than its volume.
Examples in context
- Fui despertado bruscamente por un ruido fuerte.I was suddenly awakened by a loud noise.This sentence is useful for describing being woken up by the form ruido fuerte.Tatoeba #1854551 by marcelostockle, translation #275495 by sacredceltic
- Mientras me bajaba del autobús escuché un ruido fuerte.While I was getting off the bus, I heard a loud noise.This sentence is useful for describing hearing the form ruido fuerte while getting off a bus.Tatoeba #11364997 by DJ_Saidez, translation #11364996 by DJ_Saidez
- El concierto estaba tan ruidoso que mis oídos aún zumban.The concert was so loud that my ears are still ringing.
- El estampido del trueno nos asustó.The thunder's bang scared us.
- No puedo dormir con tanto ruido a toda marcha.I cannot sleep with all this noise at full blast.
- El barullo en el estadio era ensordecedor.The clamor in the stadium was deafening.
- El motor del coche hace un ruido fuerte.The car engine makes a loud noise.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are in their living room when they hear something outside.
- Mateo¿Escuchaste ese ruido fuerte afuera?Did you hear that loud noise outside?
- LucíaSí, parece que algo se cayó en la calle.Yes, it sounds like something fell in the street.
- MateoEs un ruido fuerte y muy extraño.It is a loud and very strange noise.
- LucíaVoy a mirar por la ventana para ver qué pasa.I am going to look through the window to see what is happening.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fuerte, ruido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
