to fall silent
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to fall silent
To stop speaking or making a sound. This can refer to people, animals, or also to sources of noise such as music or engines.
Als der Lehrer den Raum betrat, verstummte das laute Lachen der Schüler sofort.
When the teacher entered the room, the students' loud laughter immediately fell silent.
The verb 'verstummen' (to fall silent) is derived from the adjective 'stumm' (silent/mute). The prefix 'ver-' here expresses the beginning of a state, so 'stumm werden' (to become silent).
Die Musik verstummte plötzlich.
The music suddenly fell silent.
The perfect tense of 'verstummen' (to fall silent) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein'. The reason is that it describes a change of state (from loud to quiet).
Nach seiner Rede sind alle Kritiker verstummt.
After his speech, all the critics fell silent.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the subject. If it is a concrete source of noise (person, engine, music), the literal meaning is intended. If it is something abstract (criticism, rumors, protest), the figurative meaning is intended.
Das Lachen der Kinder verstummte, als der Ball ins Wasser fiel.
The children's laughter fell silent when the ball fell into the water.
to speak
'sprechen' and 'verstummen' are clear opposites. 'sprechen' means that someone says words or has a conversation. 'verstummen' means that someone stops speaking or that a sound stops. So 'sprechen' describes active speech, while 'verstummen' describes the moment when things become quiet. 'verstummen' often sounds somewhat stronger or more dramatic than simply 'aufhören zu reden' (to stop talking).
Nach der schlechten Nachricht verstummte die ganze Gruppe.
After the bad news, the whole group fell silent.
Nach dem Essen sprechen wir noch kurz über den Ausflug.
After the meal, we talk briefly about the trip.