What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb bajar (to lower/go down) and el volumen (the volume).
Which one should you use?
While bajar el volumen is the standard way to express the idea, you might use bajar la música specifically when referring to music. For more formal requests, you can use Podría disminuir el volumen, por favor (Could you decrease the volume, please?) or the highly polite Sería tan amable de bajar el volumen (Could you be so kind as to turn down the volume).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal situations, use Baja el volumen, por favor or ¿Me haces el favor de bajar el volumen? (Could you do me the favor of turning down the volume?). In formal settings, such as when speaking to a teacher, an elderly person or in professional environments, use Baje el volumen, por favor (lower the volume, please).
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, speakers often add the indirect object pronoun le to the verb to refer to the device or the situation, resulting in bájale el volumen (turn down the volume for me/to it).
Did you know?
- While bajar means 'to lower' in this phrase, it is also the standard word for 'to get off' a bus, train or plane. To an English speaker, it sounds like you are asking someone to physically descend from the music.
- The word volumen comes from the Latin 'volūmen', which referred to a scroll or a roll of papyrus. This is because the 'volume' of a text was originally determined by how much it was rolled up.
- In very casual settings, speakers might simply say bájale without mentioning 'volume' or 'music' at all. The listener understands from the context that the sound needs to be lowered.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría bajar el volumen?Could you turn down the volume?This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase bajar el volumen in a polite question.Tatoeba #870440 by Shishir, translation #6788829 by CK
- Disculpe, ¿podría disminuir el volumen de la música, por favor?Excuse me, could you decrease the volume of the music, please?
- Oye, baja el volumen de la televisión, por favor.Hey, turn down the volume of the TV, please.
- No puedo dormir, tienes que bajar el volumen.I can't sleep, you have to turn down the volume.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo is listening to music too loudly while María is trying to study.
- MaríaMateo, ¿puedes bajar el volumen, por favor?Mateo, can you turn down the volume, please?
- MateoLo siento, María, no me di cuenta.I'm sorry, María, I didn't realize.
- MaríaGracias, es que necesito concentrarme.Thanks, it's just that I need to concentrate.
- MateoClaro, ahora mismo bajo el volumen.Sure, I'll turn down the volume right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bajar, el, volumen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
