Portuguese Phrase
Fala mais baixo.
Meaning
A direct, informal request for the listener to lower the volume of their speech. It can be softened with ‘por favor’ or a polite tone, but the core meaning stays the same: ‘Speak more quietly.’
When to use
Use this phrase in casual settings—among friends, family, or peers—when someone is speaking too loudly. In formal contexts switch to the formal imperative ‘Fale mais baixo.’
✦Grammar Breakdown
Falamaisbaixo
Imperative (2nd person singular informal)
‘Fala’ is the affirmative imperative form of ‘falar’ used when speaking to someone you address with ‘tu’ (informal ‘you’).
Comparative adverb ‘mais’
‘Mais’ is used to form the comparative, meaning ‘more’. Here it modifies the adjective ‘baixo’.
Adjective used adverbially
‘Baixo’ literally means ‘low’, but in this construction it functions like an adverb meaning ‘quietly’ or ‘in a lower voice’.
🗨In Conversation
Fala mais baixo, por favor.
Speak more quietly, please.
Desculpa, não percebi.
Sorry, I didn’t hear you.
✕Common Mistakes
Fale mais baixo, por favor.
When speaking formally, the correct imperative is ‘Fale mais baixo.’
Falas mais baixo.
Do not add ‘-s’ (falas) – the imperative does not take the personal ending.
Fala baixo.
‘Mais baixo’ is a comparative; using ‘baixo’ alone would sound like a command to be ‘low’ (as in posture).
↔Alternatives
Fale mais baixo, por favor.
Please speak more quietly.
Pode falar mais baixo?
Could you speak more quietly?
Fala mais baixo, gente.
Speak more quietly, folks.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘fala’ is strictly informal. If you’re addressing a stranger, a teacher, or anyone you’d normally address with ‘você’, use the formal imperative ‘Fale mais baixo.’ Also, remember that ‘baixo’ can describe physical height, so context tells the listener you’re talking about volume.