French Conversation · Level 127
45 words
French word
chantonner
Pronunciation
IPA/ʃɑ̃tone/
Meaning
- verbhum
Example
Elle chantonne une mélodie en préparant le dîner.
She hums a melody while preparing dinner.
More examples
Il chantonne sous la douche.
He hums in the shower.
Core concept
A person quietly carries a melody under the breath while doing another task, with the words indistinct.
Common phrases
chantonner sous la douche
hum in the shower
chantonner en marchant
hum while walking
Similar words
fredonner: To hum a tune quietly through the mouth or nose.
chanter: To sing a song aloud with clearly heard words.
siffler: To play a melody by blowing through pursed lips.
murmurer: To quietly mutter words under the breath.
Definition in French
Fredonner ou chanter à voix basse une mélodie sans prononcer nettement les paroles ni chercher une interprétation soignée.
Word origin
Chantonner is formed from chanter, from Latin cantare, with the suffix -onner adding a diminutive or frequentative nuance.
Usage tips
- Chantonner is not the usual French equivalent of English chant, which suggests a more deliberate or collective vocal performance.
Other meanings
- sing softlyverb
Opposites
- se tairekeep quietverb
- criershoutverb