Whether you're traveling in Germany, or simply trying to improve your German language skills, it's important to know how to ask someone to be quiet. In different situations, you may need to use a different tone or level of politeness.
That's why we've compiled a list of five different phrases that you can use to ask someone to be quiet in German.
From the polite and neutral 'Sei ruhig' to the more forceful 'Halt den Mund,' we've got you covered. Read on to discover the nuances of each phrase and when to use them.
Sei ruhig! (z-eye roo-ig)
This is a straightforward way to tell someone to be quiet, and is appropriate for use in most situations. It is a polite and neutral phrase that can be used with friends, family, or strangers.
Halt den Mund - (halt dayn muhnt) This phrase is a bit more forceful and translates to "keep your mouth shut". It should only be used in situations where someone is being especially loud or disruptive, and may be considered impolite in other contexts.
Schau mal, wie schön die Vögel zwitschern - (sh-ow mal vee shuhn dee fergel tsvitshurn) This phrase is a bit more indirect and translates to "look how beautifully the birds are chirping". It can be used to suggest that someone should listen to the sounds around them, rather than making noise themselves.
Red nicht so laut - (r-ay-t nikt zo low) This phrase means "don't speak so loudly" and can be used to tell someone to lower their volume. It is appropriate in situations where someone is being too loud or boisterous, but you still want them to speak.
Kannst du bitte ein bisschen leiser sein? - (kanst du bittuj eye-n biss-shun l-eye-zer z-eye-n)
This translates to "can you please be a bit quieter?" and is a polite and indirect way to ask someone to lower their volume. It is appropriate in most situations where someone is being too loud.
Hopefully, you’ll never need these phrases. But I hope they come in handy if you do!
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