demasiado alto
/demasjado alto/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'too loud' is translated into Spanish as demasiado alto.
Use demasiado alto to describe a sound that is at an excessive volume.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'too high', as Spanish uses alto (high) to describe volume rather than 'loud'.
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse demasiado alto with muy alto. While muy alto means 'very loud', demasiado alto specifically implies the volume is excessive or problematic.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the noun being described is feminine, such as la música (the music), you must change the adjective to the feminine form demasiado alta.
Did you know?
- The word alto is a learned borrowing from the Latin altus. It did not evolve naturally into Spanish, which is why it differs from other words inherited from the same root.
- Spanish has a specific word estruendo for sounds that are so 'too loud' they become a crashing or thundering noise. This distinguishes a general volume issue from a violent or overwhelming sound.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, if you want to tell someone to lower the volume, you might use the verb bajar (to lower) rather than a word for 'quiet'.
Examples in context
- No hables demasiado alto o la despertarás.Don't speak too loud. You'll wake her up.This sentence shows how to use demasiado alto when giving a warning about speaking volume.Tatoeba #2216607 by Shishir, translation #2097914 by Hybrid
- Está demasiado alto.It's too loud.This is a simple way to state that a sound level is excessive using demasiado alto.Tatoeba #1332435 by Shishir, translation #275485 by CK
- Ese televisor está demasiado alto.That TV is too loud.This sentence uses demasiado alto to describe the volume of a specific object, a television.Tatoeba #1697571 by Espi, translation #50225 by CK
- Este lugar es muy ruidoso, podríamos hablar más bajo por favor.This place is too loud, could we please speak more quietly.
- La música está excesivamente ruidosa, sería conveniente bajarle el volumen.The music is excessively loud. It would be advisable to lower the volume.
- ¡Esa fiesta está muy escandalosa! ¿Podrían bajar un poco la música?That party is too loud! Could you turn the music down a bit?
- El televisor está a todo volumen. Me cuesta concentrarme.The TV is too loud. It's hard for me to concentrate.
- Esta calle es muy bulliciosa. No puedo dormir con tanto ruido de fondo.This street is too noisy. I can't sleep with so much background noise.
- Ese anuncio de la radio es demasiado estridente. ¿Podemos cambiar de estación?That radio advertisement is too loud. Can we switch the station?
Example conversation
Mateo and María are in their living room listening to music.
- Mateo¿Te gusta la música, María?Do you like the music, María?
- MaríaNo, el volumen está demasiado alto.No, the volume is too loud.
- MateoTienes razón, bajaré el volumen ahora.You're right, I'll turn down the volume now.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo, así está mucho mejor.Thanks, Mateo, that's much better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alto, demasiado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
