súbelo
/subelo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'turn it up' is translated as súbelo.
This phrase is used when you want to increase the volume of a device, such as a radio or a television. You may also hear speakers use ¡Súbele! in many Spanish-speaking regions, where the indirect object pronoun le is used instead of the direct object pronoun lo when referring to volume or intensity.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rioplatense Spanish, used in areas like Argentina and Uruguay, you might say subí el volumen. In parts of Mexico, sube el volumen is commonly used to convey 'turn it up'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the imperative form súbelo, the stress is placed on the first syllable of the root sube because the object pronoun lo is attached to the end. If the object you are turning up is a feminine plural noun, such as las voces (the voices), the pronoun changes to súbelas.
How do you pronounce it?
/subelo/
Did you know?
- The verb subir is so versatile that you use the same root word to 'turn it up' as you would to 'climb a mountain' or 'go upstairs'.
- In certain Latin American contexts, súbele can function as slang to describe increasing the intensity of a social situation or 'turning up the heat', even if no electronic device is present.
- The opposite of súbelo is bájalo, which literally means 'lower it' or 'bring it down'.
Examples in context
- No escucho nada, súbelo un poco.I can't hear anything, turn it up a bit.
- El volumen está muy bajo, súbelo.The volume is very low, turn it up.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are listening to music in the living room.
- ElenaDaniel, me encanta este ritmo.Daniel, I love this rhythm.
- DanielYo también, ¿quieres que lo suba?Me too, do you want me to turn it up?
- ElenaSí, por favor, súbelo.Yes, please, turn it up.
- DanielClaro, ahora se escucha mejor.Sure, now it sounds better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
