French word

chuchoter

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃyʃote/

Meaning

  • verbwhisper

Example

Elle chuchote quelque chose à son ami.

She whispers something to her friend.

Illustration for chuchoter (whisper)

More examples

Ils chuchotent dans la bibliothèque pour ne pas déranger.

They whisper in the library so as not to disturb.

Core concept

A soft stream of words passed close to one listener so nearby people cannot follow it.

Common phrases

  • chuchoter à quelqu'un

    whisper to someone

  • chuchoter des mots doux

    whisper sweet words

Similar words

murmurer: Murmur softly, making the words difficult to hear.
parler bas: Speak quietly with a lowered volume.
dire à voix basse: Say something in a low voice.
marmonner: Mutter in an indistinct, low voice.

Definition in French

Dire à voix basse à une personne, sans vouloir que d'autres entendent ce qui est dit.

Word origin

Chuchoter developed in French as a sound-symbolic verb, with its repeated syllables echoing the subdued sound of whispering.

Usage tips

  • The initial ch in chuchoter is pronounced like the ch in English 'sh', while the infinitive ending -er has the vowel sound of French é.

Other meanings

  • speak softlyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word