parle plus fort
The English phrase "speak louder" is translated into French as parle plus fort.
This phrase is used as a request or a command to tell someone to increase the volume of their voice. In certain environments, such as a classroom or a rehearsal, you can use the shorthand Plus fort ! to command a higher volume.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase parle plus fort literally means "speak more loudly". It is composed of the verb parler (to speak), the comparative plus (more) and the adverb fort (loudly or strongly).
Which one should you use?
While parle plus fort is used to ask for more volume, you can ask someone to speak more quietly by replacing plus fort with plus bas (more low/quietly).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form parle plus fort uses the imperative of the tu form. If you are addressing more than one person, or if you are using the formal vous form, you should use parlez plus fort.
Did you know?
- Using parle plus fort without s'il te plaît can sound quite aggressive to native speakers. In French culture, the imperative form is often perceived as a harsh order rather than a simple request.
- French speakers use fort to describe both a loud voice and a 'strong' coffee.
- In a musical context, a French conductor might use plus fort to ask for more volume, but the formal musical term for 'louder' remains the Italian forte.
Examples in context
- Parle plus fort !Speak louder!This example shows the direct command parle plus fort.Tatoeba #504430 by sacredceltic, translation #4755153 by garborg
- Parle plus fort, s'il te plait.Speak louder, please.This example shows how to add s'il te plait to the command parle plus fort.Tatoeba #452864 by sacredceltic, translation #30398 by CK
- Parle plus fort afin que tout le monde puisse t'entendre.Speak louder so everyone can hear you.This example uses parle plus fort to explain the reason for the request.Tatoeba #530051 by nekouma, translation #32137 by CK
- Excusez-moi, j'ai entendu "metro" mais le reste était difficile à comprendre. Pourriez-vous le répéter plus fort?Excuse me, I heard "metro," but the rest was difficult to understand. Could you repeat it louder?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are having a phone call in a noisy cafe.
- ChloéJe ne t'entends pas bien.I can't hear you well.
- HugoDésolé, je vais essayer de parler plus fort.Sorry, I will try to speak louder.
- ChloéParle plus fort, s'il te plaît.Speak louder, please.
- HugoEst-ce que c'est mieux comme ça ?Is it better like this?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
