murmeln
mumble · murmur
Definition & meaning
murmeln is a German verb with two closely related meanings:
-
To mumble or mutter
To speak quietly and indistinctly, often so that it is difficult to understand. It can suggest uncertainty, shyness, tiredness, dissatisfaction, or speaking to oneself.- Er murmelte eine Antwort. — “He mumbled an answer.”
- Sie murmelte vor sich hin. — “She muttered to herself.”
-
To murmur or babble softly
To produce a gentle, continuous sound, especially when describing a stream or flowing water.- Der Bach murmelt durch den Wald. — “The brook murmurs through the forest.”
The verb can be used both transitively with spoken words and intransitively for quiet speech or soft natural sounds.
Grammar & Word origin
- Verb type: weak, regular verb
- Infinitive: murmeln
- Present tense:
- ich murmle / ich murmele — I mumble
- du murmelst — you mumble
- er/sie/es murmelt — he/she/it mumbles
- Simple past: murmelte
- Past participle: gemurmelt
- Auxiliary verb: haben — Er hat gemurmelt. (“He mumbled.”)
The word is probably onomatopoeic, meaning that its sound imitates the soft, indistinct noise it describes. It is related to the noun das Murmeln , meaning “mumbling” or “murmuring.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- murmeln — the general word for speaking quietly and indistinctly or making a soft murmuring sound.
- murmeln and murmeln are often translated similarly, but the exact synonym depends on the context:
- nuscheln — to mumble because one speaks unclearly, often due to poor articulation; it emphasizes unintelligibility more strongly.
- murmeln — to mutter or mumble softly, often without clearly addressing anyone.
- flüstern — to whisper; unlike murmeln, it usually means speaking very quietly but can still be clear.
- murmeln — also used for the gentle sound of flowing water.
- raunen — to murmur or whisper mysteriously, often suggesting secrecy or a solemn atmosphere.
- brabbeln — to babble or chatter indistinctly, commonly used for babies or for speech that lacks clear structure.
- motzen — to grumble or complain; unlike murmeln, it explicitly expresses irritation or dissatisfaction.
Antonyms
There is no single exact antonym. Depending on the intended contrast, possible opposites include:
- deutlich sprechen — to speak clearly; this contrasts with the indistinct pronunciation of murmeln.
- rufen — to call or shout; this contrasts with the quietness of murmeln.
- schreien — to scream or shout loudly; this is a strong contrast in volume.
- verkünden — to proclaim or announce publicly; this contrasts with speaking quietly or to oneself.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Sie murmelt etwas Unverständliches.verb
She mumbles something unintelligible.
Er murmelt leise vor sich hin.verb
He softly murmurs to himself
Kinder murmeln ungeduldig während des Unterrichts.verb
Children murmur impatiently during class.
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