Spanish Phrase
Evita hacer llamadas en voz alta.
Meaning
This phrase is a polite but firm instruction or suggestion to refrain from speaking loudly on the phone. It implies that doing so is disruptive or inappropriate in the current setting. It's about maintaining a respectful and quiet environment for others.
When to use
Use this phrase in public spaces like libraries, cafes, public transport, or shared offices where quiet is expected. It's a way to ask someone to lower their voice or take their call elsewhere without being overly aggressive.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Evitahacerllamadasen voz alta
Evita (from evitar)
Evitar means 'to avoid' or 'to prevent.' When followed by another verb, that verb is usually in the infinitive form, like 'hacer' here.
Hacer llamadas
Literally 'to make calls,' this is the standard way to express 'to make a phone call' in Spanish, rather than just using 'llamar' (to call) as a verb.
En voz alta
This is a common idiom meaning 'out loud' or 'loudly.' It's used to describe speaking or making noise at a high volume.
🗨In Conversation
¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? ¡Sí, estoy en el tren ahora mismo!
Hello! How are you? Yes, I'm on the train right now!
Disculpa, ¿podrías Evita hacer llamadas en voz alta? Hay gente intentando leer.
Excuse me, could you avoid making loud calls? There are people trying to read.
✕Common Mistakes
Evita llamar en voz alta.
While 'llamar' means 'to call,' 'hacer llamadas' is the more common and natural way to say 'to make calls' as a noun phrase in Spanish.
Evita hablar en voz alta por teléfono.
'Hablar en voz alta' means 'to speak loudly.' While related, 'hacer llamadas en voz alta' specifically targets the act of making a phone call loudly, which is often the source of disturbance.
↔Alternatives
Por favor, habla más bajo.
Please speak lower.
¿Podrías bajar la voz?
Could you lower your voice?
Es mejor no hacer llamadas ruidosas aquí.
It's better not to make noisy calls here.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, public spaces can be quite lively, but there's also an expectation of consideration for others, especially in quieter environments. Loud phone conversations are generally frowned upon in places like libraries, doctors' offices, or even crowded buses. This phrase is a polite way to enforce that social norm without causing direct confrontation.