German Conversation · Level 29
89 words
German word
leise
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈlaɪ̯zə/
Meaning
- adverbquietly
Example
Bitte sprich leise, das Baby schläft.
Please speak quietly; the baby is sleeping.
More examples
Die Musik lief leise im Hintergrund.
The music was playing quietly in the background.
Core concept
A voice reduced to a soft murmur and movements kept gentle enough to attract little notice.
Common phrases
leise sprechen
speak quietly
leise sagen
say quietly
Musik leise stellen
turn the music down
Similar words
ruhig: In a composed, peaceful way that avoids noise or disturbance.
still: In near silence, with little activity or movement.
Definition in German
so, dass die Stimme oder Bewegungen kaum wahrgenommen werden
Word origin
Leise comes from Middle High German lîse and Old High German līsi, inherited Germanic forms for low or soft sound.
Usage tips
- Leise serves as both the adjective and the adverb, so German uses leise Stimme and leise sprechen without an adverbial ending.
Other meanings
- quietadjective
- in a low voiceadverb
Opposites
- lautloudlyadverb