Friends & datingIntermediate
Asking a neighbor to be quieter in English
What to say when your neighbor is noisy late at night.
Full script
Lin
Hi, sorry to bother you. Could you keep it down a little?
Them
Oh! Was it the music?
Lin
The music, and... was that a drum solo?
Them
Guilty. I just started learning.
Lin
It's almost midnight, and I have an early day.
Them
Totally fair. I'll stop now.
Lin
Thanks! Maybe practice before nine?
Them
Deal. And sorry about that!
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Most polite
✓ Could you keep it down a little?Polite way to ask for less noise.
keep it down = lower the volume
Soft opener
✓ Sorry to bother you.Polite first line before a request.
Good first line at a neighbor's door
Up early tomorrow
✓ I have an early day.Say why you need quiet.
early day = something early tomorrow
Busted
✓ Guilty.Funny way to admit it was you.
Admit it was you, with humor
Quick answers
Most polite: what to say in English
Say “Could you keep it down a little?” — polite way to ask for less noise. keep it down = lower the volume.
Soft opener: what to say in English
Say “Sorry to bother you.” — polite first line before a request. Good first line at a neighbor's door.
Up early tomorrow: what to say in English
Say “I have an early day.” — say why you need quiet. early day = something early tomorrow.
Busted: what to say in English
Say “Guilty.” — funny way to admit it was you. Admit it was you, with humor.