nounverb

el sonar

ring · sound

Es producir o emitir un sonido, o percibirlo a través del oído.

Definition & meaning

The verb sonar has several meanings depending on the context:

  1. To sound or to make a sound: Used when an object or a person produces an acoustic vibration or noise.
  2. To ring: Specifically used for bells, telephones, or alarms.
  3. To seem familiar: Used in the expression "me suena" (it rings a bell / it sounds familiar to me).
  4. To blow one's nose: When used reflexively as "sonarse," it means to clear the nose of mucus.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

  • sonar is an irregular verb of the first conjugation (-ar).
  • It follows a stem-changing pattern where the "o" in the root becomes "ue" in most singular and third-person plural present forms (e.g., yo sueno, tú suenas, ellos suenan).
  • It is often used intransitively.

Word origin:

  • It comes from the Latin verb sonare, which means "to make a noise" or "to sound," derived from the noun sonus (sound).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • Resonar : To resound or echo.
  • Tañer : To play an instrument or ring a bell.
  • Timbrar : To ring (specifically a doorbell or phone).
  • Parecer : To seem (used in the sense of something sounding familiar).

Antonyms:

  • Enmudecer : To become silent.
  • Callar : To be quiet.

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Examples

El teléfono sonó en la mañana.verb

The phone rang in the morning.

El teléfono suena constantemente.verb

The phone rings constantly.

El timbre suena muy fuerte.verb

The doorbell rings very loudly.

El timbre sonó fuerte en la escuela.verb

The bell rang loudly at school.

Esa idea suena muy interesante.verb

That idea sounds very interesting.

Ese tambor no suena bien hoy.verb

That drum doesn't sound good today.

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