munkeln
to whisper
To talk to each other quietly, indistinctly, or secretly.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden munkelten in der hinteren Ecke des Saals miteinander.
The two of them whispered to each other in the back corner of the hall.
munkeln
to whisper / spread rumors
munkeln – munkelte – hat gemunkelt
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Meanings
munkeln
to spread rumors
To tell or speculate about something as a rumor without knowing for certain. The impersonal form 'man munkelt' (rumor has it) is especially common.
EXAMPLE
Man munkelt, dass der Minister bald zurücktreten wird.
Rumor has it that the minister will resign soon.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry munkeln, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | munkle munkele |
|---|---|
| du | munkelst |
| er/sie/es | munkelt |
| wir | munkeln |
| ihr | munkelt |
| sie | munkeln |
Simple past
| ich | munkelte |
|---|---|
| du | munkeltest |
| er/sie/es | munkelte |
| wir | munkelten |
| ihr | munkeltet |
| sie | munkelten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe gemunkelt |
|---|---|
| du | hast gemunkelt |
| er/sie/es | hat gemunkelt |
| wir | haben gemunkelt |
| ihr | habt gemunkelt |
| sie | haben gemunkelt |
Commands
| du | munkle! munkel!, munkele! |
|---|---|
| ihr | munkelt! |
| Sie | munkeln Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte gemunkelt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest gemunkelt |
| er/sie/es | hatte gemunkelt |
| wir | hatten gemunkelt |
| ihr | hattet gemunkelt |
| sie | hatten gemunkelt |
Future
| ich | werde munkeln |
|---|---|
| du | wirst munkeln |
| er/sie/es | wird munkeln |
| wir | werden munkeln |
| ihr | werdet munkeln |
| sie | werden munkeln |
Subjunctive I
| ich | munkele munkle |
|---|---|
| du | munkelst munklest |
| er/sie/es | munkele munkle |
| wir | munkeln |
| ihr | munkelt munklet |
| sie | munkeln |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | munkelte |
|---|---|
| du | munkeltest |
| er/sie/es | munkelte |
| wir | munkelten |
| ihr | munkeltet |
| sie | munkelten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | munkeln |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu munkeln |
| present participle | munkelnd |
| past participle | gemunkelt |
Usage tips
Context clue
The sentence structure often reveals which meaning is intended: 'miteinander' (to each other) indicates a quiet conversation, while 'man munkelt, dass' (rumor has it that) or 'über etwas munkeln' (to spread rumors about something) usually introduces an unconfirmed rumor.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarn munkelten miteinander, während sie auf den Bus warteten.
The neighbors whispered to each other while they waited for the bus.
Man munkelt, dass die Firma ihren Standort wechseln will.
Rumor has it that the company wants to move its location.
Register
'Munkeln' is more colloquial. The word is particularly suitable in conversations or texts in which a statement is meant to sound mysterious, cautious, or slightly detached.
EXAMPLE
Die Kollegen munkelten auf dem Flur über die überraschende Entscheidung.
The colleagues whispered in the hallway about the surprising decision.
Typical collocation
In the meaning of having a secret conversation, 'munkeln' is often used with 'miteinander' (to each other). This emphasizes that several people are talking quietly among themselves.
EXAMPLE
Die Gäste munkelten miteinander und warfen immer wieder besorgte Blicke zur Tür.
The guests whispered to each other and kept casting worried glances at the door.
Rumor patterns
The patterns 'man munkelt, dass …' (rumor has it that …) and 'über etwas munkeln' (to spread rumors about something) are especially common for an unconfirmed rumor. After 'dass' (that), a subordinate clause follows with the verb at the end.
EXAMPLE
Man munkelt, dass der Verein bald einen neuen Trainer vorstellen wird.
Rumor has it that the club will soon introduce a new coach.
Im Dorf munkelte man über einen möglichen Verkauf des alten Gasthauses.
People in the village spread rumors about a possible sale of the old inn.
In real life
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