Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| hablar más fuerte | /ablaɾ mas fweɾte/ (from spelling rules) |
| hablar más alto | /ablaɾ mas alto/ (from spelling rules) |
This phrase is used when you want someone to speak more loudly or more plainly. If your intention is specifically to ask someone to be more articulate rather than just increasing their volume, you should use hablar más claro instead.
Which one should you use?
While both forms are common, hablar más alto specifically emphasizes increasing the volume of the voice. In contrast, hablar más fuerte is often used interchangeably with the former, but it can also imply speaking with more force or clarity.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase Habla más duro is used in some Latin American countries and parts of Spain in informal settings. In Spain, you will often hear the phrase Hazte oír, which means 'Make yourself heard'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form habla más fuerte is used when giving a direct command to someone you address as tú. To be polite and address someone as usted, use the form hable más fuerte.
How do you pronounce it?
/ablaɾ mas fweɾte/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes hablar más alto? No te oigo.Can you speak up? I don't hear you.This sentence is useful for asking someone to increase their volume because you cannot hear them using hablar más alto.Tatoeba #1164774 by Shishir, translation #1164781 by Eldad
- ¿Podría hablar más fuerte?, no le escucho.Could you speak up? I can't hear you.This sentence is useful for a polite request to increase volume because you cannot hear them using hablar más fuerte.Tatoeba #2750148 by leoruilova, translation #275519 by CK
- ¿Puedes hablar más alto? No te entiendo.Can you speak up? I don't understand you.This sentence is useful for asking someone to increase their volume because you cannot understand them using hablar más alto.Tatoeba #738474 by chinopinyin, translation #1164796 by Eldad
Example conversation
In a crowded cafe, Maria is trying to hear Javier.
- MaríaJavier, por favor, intenta hablar más fuerte.Javier, please, try to speak up.
- JavierLo siento, María, ¿así me oyes bien?I'm sorry, Maria, can you hear me well like this?
- MaríaSí, ahora te escucho perfectamente.Yes, now I can hear you perfectly.
- JavierQué bueno, es que hay mucho ruido aquí.That's good, it's just that there is a lot of noise in here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speak up” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alto, fuerte, hablar, más, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
