Complaining About Noise in Spain
Knock on a neighbour's door about noise, keep it friendly and know what to do if it carries on.
Spanish cities are lively late into the night, but local bylaws set quiet hours, usually from 11 pm, and thin walls make every party and pair of heels audible. People usually try a friendly word at the door first, then the building's presidente de la comunidad, and only then the policía municipal. Young neighbours are addressed with tú and vosotros. The cards follow a week of noise in a Murcia apartment block.
- 1
Perdona que te moleste a estas horas.
Sorry to bother you at this time of night.
- 2
La música está un poco alta.
The music's a bit loud.
- 3
Desde mi casa se oye todo.
You can hear everything from my place.
- 4
Mañana me tengo que levantar temprano.
I have to get up early tomorrow.
- 5
¿Podéis bajarla un poco?
Could you guys turn it down a bit?
- 6
Es solo esta noche, que es mi cumpleaños.
It's just tonight, it's my birthday.
- 7
La próxima vez, ¿nos podéis avisar antes?
Next time, could you give us a heads-up?
- 8
Tranquilo, ya bajamos el volumen.
Don't worry, we'll turn the volume down.
- 9
A partir de las once hay que respetar el descanso.
From eleven on, you have to respect quiet hours.
- 10
Esto pasa desde hace semanas.
This has been going on for weeks.
- 11
Todas las noches se oyen los tacones.
Every night you can hear the heels.
- 12
¿Os podríais poner zapatillas en casa?
Could you wear slippers at home?
- 13
El perro ladra todo el día cuando no estáis.
The dog barks all day when you're out.
- 14
No sabía que se oía tanto.
I didn't know you could hear it so much.
- 15
No quiero llamar a la policía.
I don't want to call the police.
- 16
Se lo voy a comentar al presidente de la comunidad.
I'm going to mention it to the head of the residents' association.
- 17
Las paredes son de papel.
The walls are paper-thin.
- 18
Es imposible dormir.
It's impossible to sleep.
- 19
Gracias por entenderlo.
Thanks for understanding.
- 20
Intentemos arreglarlo por las buenas.
Let's try to sort it out nicely.