01
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
'das Volumen' and 'die Lautstärke' can both describe how loud a sound or noise is. In this sense, they are very close, especially with technical devices like a radio, phone, or television. 'Lautstärke' is the more natural word in everyday language. 'Volumen' sounds more technical in this meaning or often appears in fixed expressions like 'das Volumen einstellen' (to adjust the volume). The words can be confused because both can appear on buttons or in menus. If you simply want to say that something is too loud or too quiet, 'Lautstärke' usually fits better.
Lautstärke
In der Bibliothek stellt Sofia die Lautstärke ihres Handys ganz leise.
In the library, Sofia turns the volume of her phone all the way down.
Volumen
Am Lautsprecher kann man das Volumen mit einem kleinen Rad einstellen.
On the speaker, you can adjust the volume with a small dial.
In real life
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