apagar la música
/apaɡaɾ la musika/from spelling rules
To say "turn off the music" in Spanish, you use apagar la música.
This phrase is used when you want to stop a device from playing music.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb apagar literally means to extinguish or to turn off a device or a light.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are giving a command to a friend or someone you know well, you use the imperative form apaga la música instead of the infinitive apagar. To give a command politely or to someone you do not know well, use the form apague la música.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use detener la música (to stop/halt) when they mean to turn off a device. While detener la música is understandable, apagar la música is the natural way to say turn off the music.
Did you know?
- The word música is a direct descendant of the Ancient Greek word for the Muses, meaning the phrase literally evokes the 'art of the Muses' every time you use it.
- While apagar la música means to turn off the music, the word apagar is also used to describe a person's spirit or passion being dampened.
- Spanish uses the same verb apagar for turning off music as it does for turning off a car engine or a computer.
Examples in context
- Apaga la música, por favor. Estoy intentando concentrarme en mi tarea.Turn off the music, please. I'm trying to concentrate on my task.
- Por favor, apaga la música, estoy tratando de estudiar.Please turn off the music, I am trying to study.
- Voy a apagar la música para estudiar.I am going to turn off the music to study.
- ¿Puedes apagar la música un momento?Can you turn off the music for a moment?
Example conversation
Javier and María are at home trying to sleep.
- JavierMaría, ¿puedes apagar la música?María, can you turn off the music?
- MaríaSí, perdona, Javier.Yes, sorry, Javier.
- JavierGracias, ya no hay ruido.Thanks, there is no noise now.
- MaríaDe nada, buenas noches.You're welcome, good night.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apagar, la, música, CC BY-SA 4.0.
