German Conversation · Level 81
58 words
German word
ertönen
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈtøːnən/
Meaning
- verbring
Example
Das Handy ertönt jeden Morgen.
The cell phone rings every morning.
More examples
Bei einem Brandalarm ertönt die Sirene.
The siren rings out during a fire alarm.
Core concept
A sound or signal starts at one point and fills the surrounding space as it becomes audible.
Common phrases
Die Sirene ertönt
The siren rings out
Aus den Lautsprechern ertönt Musik
Music rings out from the speakers
ertönt der Wecker
The alarm clock rings out
Similar words
klingeln: A bell or phone rings to attract attention or signal something.
klingen: A sound reaches the ear with a certain tone or character.
läuten: A bell rings to signal an event or call someone.
schallen: A sound carries clearly over a distance.
Definition in German
Ein Ton oder ein Signal beginnt zu klingen und wird hörbar.
Word origin
The verb ertönen combines er- with tönen, from Middle High German tonen and related to Ton, with er- marking the sound's coming into audible occurrence.
Usage tips
- Ertönen is more formal than klingeln and usually describes a sound becoming audible, while a phone itself normally klingelt.
Other meanings
- ring outverb
- resoundverb
Opposites
- verklingenfade awayverb
- verstummenfall silentverb
Related words
- Ertönenringing outnoun
- ertönendresoundingadjective