German Conversation · Level 17
88 words
German word
Sonate
Pronunciation
IPA/zoˈnaːtə/
Meaning
- feminine nounsonata
Example
Er spielt die Sonate von Beethoven.
He is playing Beethoven's sonata.
More examples
Der Pianist arbeitet an der dritten Sonate für sein neues Album.
The pianist is working on the third sonata for his new album.
Core concept
One instrumental composition unfolds through several linked movements, balancing continuity with sharp changes in mood, tempo, or character.
Common phrases
eine Sonate komponieren
compose a sonata
an einer Sonate arbeiten
work on a sonata
die Sonate uraufführen
premiere the sonata
Similar words
Symphonie: A large orchestral work made up of several movements.
Konzert: A musical work written for a soloist and an orchestra.
Satz: A self-contained section within a larger musical work.
Sonatine: A shorter, simpler multi-movement instrumental work.
Definition in German
Mehrteiliges, meist instrumentales Werk, dessen Sätze thematisch verbunden sind und oft starke Kontraste zeigen.
Word origin
The musical term Sonate was borrowed from Italian sonata, derived from Latin sonare, to sound, and originally contrasted with music that was sung.
Usage tips
- The composer can be named with a genitive, as in Beethovens Sonate, or with von plus the dative, as in die Sonate von Beethoven.
Opposites
- Improvisationimprovisationnoun
Related words
- Sonatinesonatinanoun
- Sonatenzyklussonata cyclenoun
- Sonatenformsonata formnoun