French Conversation · Level 116
60 words
French word
bruire
Pronunciation
IPA/bʁɥiʁ/
Meaning
- verbrustle
Example
On entend bruire les feuilles.
We can hear the leaves rustle.
More examples
Le café bruissait de conversations.
The cafe was buzzing with conversations.
Core concept
A soft rustling or murmuring sound spreading through the air from leaves, breath, or distant voices.
Similar words
murmurer: To speak in a low, indistinct voice.
chuchoter: To speak in a very quiet, whispering voice.
ronronner: To produce a continuous, low, gentle sound.
bourdonner: To make a continuous, low buzzing sound like an insect or machine.
Definition in French
Désigner la diffusion d'un léger son continu, par exemple le froissement des feuilles, le souffle ou des chuchotements.
Word origin
French bruire comes from Old French bruire and belongs to the same historical word family as bruit, with an imitative origin.
Usage tips
- Bruire is literary and often has a thing such as leaves as its subject, while everyday speech more often uses faire du bruit or a specific verb.
Other meanings
- whisperverb
- murmurverb
Opposites
- se tairebe silentverb
Related words
- bruissementbuzznoun
- bruissantbuzzingadjective