German word

brummen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbʁʊmən/

Meaning

  • verbhum

Example

Der Motor brummt leise.

The engine is humming quietly.

Illustration for brummen (hum)

More examples

Im Büro brummt das alte Gerät den ganzen Tag.

In the office, the old device hums all day.

Core concept

A steady bass-like vibration that can come from machinery or emerge as a muted grumble.

Common phrases

  • das Gerät brummt

    the device hums

  • vor sich hin brummen

    mutter to oneself

  • dauernd brummen

    hum continuously

Similar words

summen: To produce a steady humming sound with a somewhat higher pitch.
surren: To give off a faint, high, rapid buzzing sound, like small wings or electronics.
murmeln: To mumble softly so that the words are difficult to understand.
grummeln: To grumble briefly and quietly in an irritated tone.

Definition in German

Einen tiefen, summenden Ton von sich geben; bei Menschen ein missmutiges, leises Murmeln.

Word origin

The verb comes from the Germanic sound word brummen, formed to echo the noise it denotes.

Usage tips

  • Brummen is normally intransitive, as in Der Motor brummt, while vor sich hin brummen commonly marks private, under-the-breath grumbling.

Other meanings

  • growlverb
  • grumbleverb

Opposites

  • verstummenfall silentverb

Related words

  • Brummenhumnoun
  • brummiggruffadjective
  • Brummerhummernoun

Word lists with this word