die Lautstärke
volume
The intensity or volume of a sound, tone, or noise as perceived by the human ear.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte die Lautstärke vom Fernseher etwas leiser stellen?
Could you please turn the volume on the TV down a little?
die Lautstärke
volume
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Lautstärke' (volume) is made up of the adjective 'laut' (loud) and the noun 'die Stärke' (strength). So it literally describes the 'strength of loudness.'
EXAMPLE
Die Lautstärke der Musik war perfekt für die Party.
The volume of the music was perfect for the party.
False friend
'Die Lautstärke' (volume) refers only to sound. The English word 'volume' can also mean a book ('der Band') or the size of a space ('das Volumen'). For the size of a space, German uses 'das Volumen' (volume).
EXAMPLE
Stell bitte die Lautstärke des Radios leiser.
Please turn down the volume of the radio.
Typical verbs
To change the volume, you use verbs such as 'einstellen' (to set/adjust), 'regeln' (to regulate), 'erhöhen' (to increase), 'reduzieren' (to reduce), or, colloquially, 'lauter stellen' (to turn up) and 'leiser machen' (to turn down).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann die Lautstärke an meinem Kopfhörer direkt regeln.
I can adjust the volume directly on my headphones.
Compare with
Lautstärke vs Volumen
volume
Lautstärke is the usual everyday term for how loud a sound or noise is perceived to be. Volumen can also have this meaning, but it sounds more technical when referring to audio recordings or audio equipment. For an ordinary request to turn something down, Lautstärke is therefore the better choice.
Lautstärke
Bitte verringere die Lautstärke der Musik, damit wir uns unterhalten können.
Please turn down the music so we can have a conversation.
Volumen
Der Tontechniker erhöhte am Mischpult das Volumen der Aufnahme.
The sound engineer increased the recording's volume at the mixing console.
In real life
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