Spanish word

entonar

Pronunciation

IPA/entoˈnaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbadd intonation

Example

¡Entona la frase con más emoción!

Add more intonation to the phrase!

Illustration for entonar (add intonation)

More examples

En conversaciones cotidianas, conviene entonar las palabras clave para enfatizar información.

In everyday conversations, it's advisable to add intonation to the key words to emphasize information.

Core concept

A voice or instrument adjusting pitch to match others and convey emotion.

Common phrases

  • entonar la respuesta

    add intonation to the response

  • entonar las palabras clave

    add intonation to the key words

Similar words

intonar: Shape and align voice pitch and phrasing to produce consistent, correct intonation.
acentuar: Make a syllable or sound stronger by increasing stress or loudness.
modular: Control and vary voice pitch and volume to shape expression and phrasing.

Definition in Spanish

Dar a una frase o a una nota la entonación o la afinación adecuada para comunicar intención, emoción o para coincidir con otros sonidos.

Word origin

From Latin intonare (in- + tonare), related to tono 'tone', originally meaning 'to sound', it developed into giving the proper tone or pitch to a phrase or note.

Usage tips

  • For tuning instruments Spanish more often uses afinar, while entonar normally refers to singing in tune or matching pitch in voice or ensemble.

Other meanings

  • sing in tuneverb
  • matchverb

Opposites

  • desentonarsound out of tuneverb

Related words

Word lists with this word