hablar demasiado
/ablaɾ demasjado/from spelling rules
To talk too much in Spanish is hablar demasiado.
The phrase is used to describe speaking more than is necessary or appropriate for a given situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hablar (to speak) and the adverb demasiado (too much or excessively).
Which one should you use?
While hablar demasiado refers specifically to the quantity of speech, the idiomatic expression hablar de más is often used to imply that someone said something they should not have, such as a secret or an indiscretion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal expression hablar por los codos is commonly used to mean talking too much.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'he/she talks too much' in the third person singular present tense, use habla demasiado. If you want to say 'he/she talked too much' in the third person singular preterite (past tense), use habló demasiado.
Did you know?
- The verb hablar comes from the Latin fābulārī, which is the ancestor of the English word 'fable'.
Examples in context
- Él tiende a hablar demasiado.He tends to talk too much.This is useful for showing a tendency to use hablar demasiado.Tatoeba #2228029 by marcelostockle, translation #290140 by CK
- Su tendencia a hablar demasiado cuando está nerviosa es una manía que puedo tolerar.Her tendency to talk too much when she's nervous is a foible I can tolerate.This illustrates a specific tendency to use hablar demasiado during moments of nervousness.Tatoeba #8976128 by arh, translation #8976064 by AlanF_US
- Eva siempre habla en exceso durante las reuniones.Eva is always talking too much during meetings.
- Por favor, sea conciso y evite hablar demasiado.Please be concise and avoid talking too much.
- Juan tiene la lengua suelta.Juan has the tendency to talk too much.
- No quiero hablar demasiado en la entrevista.I don't want to talk too much in the interview.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a coworker during a break.
- ElenaNuestro jefe suele hablar demasiado en las reuniones.Our boss tends to talk too much in meetings.
- JavierTienes razón, Javier nunca puede terminar sus ideas.You're right, Javier can never finish his ideas.
- ElenaEs frustrante hablar demasiado sin llegar a ningún punto.It's frustrating to talk too much without getting to a point.
- JavierExacto, las reuniones podrían ser más cortas.Exactly, the meetings could be shorter.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries demasiado, hablar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
