fuerte
/ˈfweɾte/
The English word "loud" can be translated into Spanish as fuerte. Wiktionary also lists alto and fuerte sónicamente.
Meaning: of a sound (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fuerte | /ˈfweɾte/ | |
| alto | /ˈalto/ | |
| fuerte sónicamente | /fweɾte sonikamente/ (from spelling rules) | |
| alto acústicamente | /alto akustikamente/ (from spelling rules) | |
| duro | /ˈduɾo/ | Colombia |
Which one should you use?
While fuerte literally means "strong", it is the most common way to describe a loud sound or volume in Spanish. Another common option is alto, which literally means "high" and is used to describe volume, similar to how English speakers might say "turn it up high" or "speak up". For more specific technical or descriptive contexts, you might see fuerte sónicamente or alto acústicamente.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia, the word duro, which literally means "hard", is sometimes used colloquially to mean loud or intense in the context of sound.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfweɾte/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using ruidoso when you simply mean a sound is loud. ruidoso implies a chaotic or unpleasant noise rather than just high volume.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the word alto used as a command to stop is derived from the German word halt.
Examples in context
- Habla alto y claro.Speak loud and clear.This sentence shows how to use alto to mean speak loudly.Tatoeba #858363 by Rafp, translation #12051825 by shekitten
- No hables tan fuerte.Don't talk so loud.This sentence shows how to use fuerte to mean do not talk loudly.Tatoeba #952643 by hayastan, translation #41312 by CK
- Tienes una voz fuerte.You have a loud voice.This sentence uses fuerte to describe a loud voice.Tatoeba #11894459 by JSKabylie15, translation #12903576 by araneo
- El ruido del tráfico es muy altoThe traffic noise is very loud
- La música en esa discoteca es estruendosaThe music in that nightclub is deafening
- El estallido fue ensordecedorThe explosion was deafening
- La fiesta estuvo muy ruidosaThe party was very loud
- Pon la música a todo volumenPut the music on full blast
- Gritó bien alto para que todos lo escucharanHe shouted really loud so that everyone could hear him
- El orador hablaba en voz muy alta durante la conferenciaThe speaker was speaking very loudly during the conference
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofia are in a living room with music playing.
- AlejandroLa música está muy fuerte.The music is very loud.
- SofíaTienes razón, voy a bajar el volumen.You are right, I will lower the volume.
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía, ya estaba molesto.Thanks, Sofia, it was already bothering me.
- SofíaPerdón, Alejandro, no me di cuenta.Sorry, Alejandro, I didn't notice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “loud” translations and entries fuerte, alto, duro, 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, duro, fuerte, sónicamente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
