French Conversation · Level 27
90 words
French word
sonner
Pronunciation
IPA/sone/
Meaning
- verbring
Example
Le téléphone sonne.
The telephone rings.
More examples
Le réveil sonne à six heures.
The alarm clock rings at six o'clock.
Core concept
A sharp sound comes from a bell or phone to announce something or request attention.
Common phrases
les cloches sonnent
The bells ring
le téléphone sonne
the telephone rings
Similar words
téléphoner: Contact someone by telephone for a conversation.
appeler: Use the voice to summon someone nearby.
décrocher: Pick up the phone and answer a call.
Definition in French
Produire un son comme signal, en particulier pour un appareil, une cloche ou un téléphone.
Word origin
The verb sonner is inherited from Latin sonare through Old French soner, alongside the related French noun son.
Usage tips
- Sonner chez quelqu'un means to ring the doorbell at someone's home, not to telephone that person.
Other meanings
- soundverb
Opposites
- se tairebe silentverb
Related words
- sonnerieringtonenoun
- sonneurbell ringernoun