das Raunen, -
murmur
Es ist ein sehr leises Sprechen oder ein tiefes, gleichmäßiges Geräusch von vielen Menschen gleichzeitig, das man kaum verstehen kann.
Definition & meaning
Raunen means to whisper, to murmur, or to speak in a low, indistinct way, often so that others only catch fragments. It can describe:
- a quiet, secretive kind of speech (people “raunen” something to each other),
- a soft background sound of voices (a crowd “raunt”),
- and sometimes a suggestive, insinuating way of talking, as in spreading hints or rumors without saying things openly.
As a noun (das Raunen), it can mean a murmur/whispering (e.g., “ein Raunen ging durch die Menge” = a murmur went through the crowd).
Grammar & Word origin
- Verb: raunen (weak verb)
- Präsens: ich raune, du raunst, er/sie/es raunt
- Präteritum: raunte
- Perfekt: hat geraunt
- Noun: das Raunen (nominalized verb)
- Word origin / parts: Not a separable-prefix verb; the stem raun- is related to older Germanic usage expressing low, rustling/whispering sounds, which fits the idea of indistinct murmuring.
Synonyms & antonyms
German synonyms (depending on context):
- flüstern (to whisper)
- murmeln (to murmur)
- tuscheln (to whisper/gossip quietly)
- säuseln (to whisper/warble softly; often poetic)
- munkeln (to spread rumors quietly, “it’s said that…”)
German antonyms (approximate):
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Examples
Ein Raunen ging durch die Menge.noun
A murmur went through the crowd.
Nach der Nachricht gab es lautes Raunen.noun
After the news there was a loud murmur.
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