TL-108 · People
Asking someone nearby to lower their voice — Japanese
If a loud phone conversation at a nearby table is disturbing you, politely ask the person to lower their voice.
Quick answer
すみません、少し声を下げていただけますか？
Meaning Excuse me, could you keep your voice down a little?
sumimasen , sukoshi koe o sage teitadakemasuka ？
When to use it
Use this to politely request a change when a nearby phone conversation is loud in a shared space.
Core phrases
すみません、少し声を下げていただけますか？
sumimasen , sukoshi koe o sage teitadakemasuka ？
Excuse me, could you keep your voice down a little?
すぐ隣の席で本を読んでいます。
sugu tonari no seki de hon o yonde imasu .
I'm trying to read at the table right next to you.
ご配慮ありがとうございます。
go hairyo arigatougozaimasu .
Thank you for being considerate.
What you may hear
私の通話の声が大きすぎますか？
watashi no tsuuwa no koe ga ookisu gimasuka ？
Is my phone conversation too loud?
すみません。声を下げます。
sumimasen . koe o sage masu .
Sorry. I'll lower my voice.
はい、外に出て通話します。
hai , soto ni dete tsuuwa shimasu .
Of course. I'll take the call outside.
How to respond
もう少し静かに通話していただけますか？
mou sukoshi shizuka ni tsuuwa shiteitadakemasuka ？
Could you speak a little more quietly on the phone?
少し離れたところで通話していただけますか？
sukoshi hanare tatokorode tsuuwa shiteitadakemasuka ？
Could you take the call a little farther away?
Mini conversation
You
すみません、少し声を下げていただけますか？
sumimasen , sukoshi koe o sage teitadakemasuka ？
Excuse me, could you keep your voice down a little?
Other person
私の通話の声が大きすぎますか？
watashi no tsuuwa no koe ga ookisu gimasuka ？
Is my phone conversation too loud?
You
すぐ隣の席で本を読んでいます。
sugu tonari no seki de hon o yonde imasu .
I'm trying to read at the table right next to you.
Other person
すみません。声を下げます。
sumimasen . koe o sage masu .
Sorry. I'll lower my voice.
You
少し離れたところで通話していただけますか？
sukoshi hanare tatokorode tsuuwa shiteitadakemasuka ？
Could you take the call a little farther away?
Other person
はい、外に出て通話します。
hai , soto ni dete tsuuwa shimasu .
Of course. I'll take the call outside.
You
ご配慮ありがとうございます。
go hairyo arigatougozaimasu .
Thank you for being considerate.
More natural
Keep your voice down asks for a quieter voice. Could you and a little soften the request.
Good to know
Ask briefly for the action you need instead of blaming the person. If speaking directly is difficult, explain the situation to staff.
Related situations
Use GLANOS Talk in the real conversation
View GLANOS TalkTranslate, listen, and show the phrase when you need it.