German word

flüstern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈflʏstɐn/

Meaning

  • verbwhisper

Example

Er flüstert mir etwas ins Ohr.

He is whispering something in my ear.

Illustration for flüstern (whisper)

More examples

Sie flüstern im Flur, damit das Baby nicht aufwacht.

They whisper in the hallway so that the baby does not wake up.

Core concept

A voice lowered so that the words travel only a short distance, often between people standing close together.

Common phrases

  • etwas flüstern

    whisper something

  • leise flüstern

    whisper quietly

Similar words

zuflüstern: To quietly convey words close to someone's ear.
murmeln: To mutter in a low voice, making the words hard to make out.
tuscheln: To whisper together with others about something intended to remain private.

Definition in German

leise zu jemandem sprechen, oft vertraulich oder heimlich

Word origin

German flüstern developed from Middle High German vlüstern as an imitative formation, with a related form in Dutch fluisteren.

Usage tips

  • The person receiving a whisper is commonly marked by the dative, as in jemandem etwas ins Ohr flüstern.

Other meanings

  • murmurverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Flüsternwhisperingnoun
  • Flüstererwhisperernoun

Word lists with this word