01
flüstern
to whisper
To speak very quietly, mainly using breath rather than the vocal cords, so that only people very close by can hear it.
example
Er flüsterte ihr ein Geheimnis ins Ohr.
He whispered a secret into her ear.
flüstern
to whisper
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure and usage patterns
When one person whispers something to another, a dative and accusative construction is often used: 'jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) flüstern' (to whisper something to someone). The preposition 'ins Ohr' (into the ear) is often added to make the action clear.
EXAMPLE
Sie flüsterte ihm eine kurze Nachricht zu.
She whispered a short message to him.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning for quiet sounds, 'flüstern' (to whisper) is often used personifying elements of nature. Typical subjects are 'der Wind' (the wind) or 'die Blätter' (the leaves).
EXAMPLE
Die Blätter flüsterten im leichten Abendwind.
The leaves whispered in the light evening wind.
Sentence structure for rumors
To express that a rumor is being spread, the impersonal construction 'man flüstert, dass ...' (people are whispering that ...) or 'es wird geflüstert, dass ...' (it is being whispered that ...) is often used. This emphasizes that the source of the rumor is unknown.
EXAMPLE
Man flüstert, dass die Firma bald verkauft wird.
People are whispering that the company will soon be sold.
Compare with
flüstern vs schreien
to scream
'schreien' and 'flüstern' are clear opposites when it comes to speaking. With 'schreien', the voice is very loud, often because of fear, anger, pain, or because you want to be heard over a distance. With 'flüstern', you speak very quietly, so that only people nearby can hear it. 'schreien' fits when volume is important. 'flüstern' fits when something is said quietly, carefully, or confidentially.
flüstern
Vor dem Termin flüsterte mein Kollege mir noch schnell eine Frage zu.
Before the appointment, my colleague quickly whispered a question to me.
schreien
Beim Unfall schrie ein Mann nach Hilfe.
During the accident, a man screamed for help.
In real life
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