Sorry for the background noise. I am at home.
'Sottofondo' = sot-to-FON-do. Four syllables; stress the third. 'Rumore' = ru-MO-reh.
Use this when unexpected noise — from family, neighbours, deliveries, or construction — interrupts a call. A brief, unfazed apology followed by continuing is the right approach.
'Rumore in sottofondo' (background noise) is the standard Italian phrase for this situation. 'Scusate' is the plural imperative of 'scusare' — used for collective apologies to a group.
Vado in un'altra stanza. Un secondo.
I am going to another room. One second.
Action-oriented; relocates rather than just apologising
Mi metto in muto finché non torna il silenzio.
I will mute myself until the quiet returns.
Practical solution; keeps the call running without disruption
C'è un po' di confusione qui. Continuate pure.
There is a bit of commotion here. Please continue.
Signals others to carry on; use if you need to step away briefly
Italian apartment buildings and city streets can be very noisy — from neighbours, traffic, markets and the classic 'Ape' cargo bikes. Italian remote workers have become skilled at managing background noise, and most colleagues are sympathetic to the realities of working from Italian homes.