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.
to die down
In a figurative sense: to stop existing or being expressed. Often refers to criticism, rumors, or demands.
Nach der klaren Stellungnahme des Unternehmens ist die öffentliche Kritik weitgehend verstummt.
After the company's clear statement, the public criticism has largely died down.
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 stop
Aufhören and verstummen can both express the end of music or a sound. Aufhören neutrally describes the event ending, while verstummen particularly emphasizes the silence that follows. Use aufhören for the end of the activity and verstummen when the transition to silence is important.
Nach dem letzten Lied verstummte die Musik im Saal.
After the last song, the music fell silent in the hall.
Die Musik hörte nach dem letzten Lied pünktlich auf.
The music stopped on time after the last song.
