Inklingo

How to Say "turn down" in Spanish

English → Spanish

baje

/BAH-heh//ˈba.xe/

verbB1
Use 'baje' when referring to lowering the volume of music or sound, or abstract concepts like stress levels. It often appears in subjunctive contexts.
A simplified human hand is turning a large, red circular dial downwards, illustrated with a decreasing wave graphic next to it.

Examples

Por favor, baje la música, no puedo oír.

Please turn down the music, I can't hear.

El doctor sugirió que baje su nivel de estrés.

The doctor suggested that he/she lower their stress level. (Subjunctive)

Por favor, baje la música, es muy tarde.

Please, lower the music, it is very late. (Formal command)

Transitive Use

In this sense, 'bajar' usually requires a direct object (like 'the volume' or 'the price'). You are doing the action to something else.

bajen

/BAH-hen//ˈba.xen/

verb (conjugation)B1
Use 'bajen' when referring to reducing the quantity or price of something, typically used when addressing multiple people or a plural subject. It's often seen in formal or urgent contexts.
A large, stylized hand holding a rope, gently lowering a heavy, square wooden box from a high position toward the ground.

Examples

Es necesario que bajen los precios de los alquileres.

It is necessary that they turn down rental prices.

Es urgente que bajen los precios de la gasolina.

It is urgent that they lower the gas prices. (Subjunctive use after 'es urgente que')

¡Bajen la voz! Estamos en una biblioteca. (Ustedes, formal command)

Lower your voices! We are in a library.

El director exige que bajen el volumen del equipo.

The director demands that they turn down the volume of the equipment.

Action on an Object

In this sense, 'bajen' means the subject (you all/they) is performing the action of lowering something else (the object), like prices or lights.

Baje vs. Bajen

The most common mistake is using 'baje' when 'bajen' is needed, or vice-versa. Remember that 'baje' is often singular (or used with abstract nouns like 'stress'), while 'bajen' is the plural form, used when the subject performing the action of turning down is plural (like 'prices' or 'people').

Related Translations

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