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PhrasesAt the LibraryPer favore, si abbassi la voce.
B1formal

Per favore, si abbassi la voce.

Please lower your voice.

Pronunciation

Stress 'ab-BAS-si'. 'Si abbassi' is the formal imperative of 'abbassarsi'.

When to use it

A librarian or another user might say this to you. You might also need to say it politely to someone speaking too loudly near your study area.

What it means

'Si abbassi la voce' = lower your voice (formal imperative, Lei form). 'La voce' = the voice. More directly: 'Silenzio, per favore' (Silence, please). Italian libraries post rules ('regolamento') that typically prohibit loud talking, mobile phone calls, and food.

Variations

Qui è zona silenzio.

This is a silent zone.

Pointing out the rule.

È vietato parlare a voce alta.

Loud talking is prohibited.

Stating the prohibition.

Per favore, non usi il telefono qui.

Please don't use your phone here.

Requesting phone silence.

Mini Dialogue

— [Parla al telefono ad alta voce] — Scusi, per favore si abbassi la voce. Siamo in sala lettura. — Oh, mi scusi! Finisco subito. — Grazie mille.

— [Speaks loudly on the phone] — Excuse me, please lower your voice. We're in the reading room. — Oh, I'm sorry! I'll finish right away. — Thank you very much.

Cultural Note

Italian library silence rules are taken seriously in institutional settings but enforcement can vary. In university libraries, a culture of peer-enforced silence ('rispetto reciproco') is generally strong. Italian library signs often use 'Zona silenzio' or 'Rispetta il silenzio' rather than a simple 'No talking' sign.