murmurar
Lemma Details
Translation: to murmur; to whisper; to mutter; to gossip; to grumble
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'murmurare', which is onomatopoeic in origin, imitating the sound of a low, continuous noise. The English cognate 'murmur' shares the same Latin root, making this an easy connection for English speakers. The word captures both the sound of quiet speech and the act of complaining or gossiping.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Se oía el murmurar del río en la distancia.
The murmuring of the river could be heard in the distance.
No me gusta que murmuren sobre mí a mis espaldas.
I don't like people gossiping about me behind my back.
La gente comenzó a murmurar cuando entró el político.
People began to whisper when the politician entered.
El estudiante murmuró la respuesta porque no estaba seguro.
The student muttered the answer because he wasn't sure.
Mnemonics
- Think of the English word 'murmur' with an '-ar' ending to make it a Spanish verb.
- Imagine the sound 'mur-mur-mur' as the quiet sound of people gossiping.
- Picture someone muttering 'mur-mur-mur' under their breath when they're complaining.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'murmurar' often carries a negative connotation when used in the context of gossip. The act of 'murmuración' (gossiping) is traditionally viewed as inappropriate behavior, especially in more conservative or religious communities.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both mean 'to whisper', 'murmurar' often implies complaining or gossiping, whereas 'susurrar' is more neutral and focuses on the quiet volume of speech.
This word:
Los vecinos murmuraban sobre el escándalo.
The neighbors were gossiping about the scandal.
Notes: 'Murmurar' can also refer to the sound of natural elements like water or wind, similar to 'susurrar', but is more commonly used for human speech.
Mnemonic: 'Murmurar' contains 'mur' twice, like repeated gossip; 'susurrar' sounds like the 'shushing' sound of a quiet whisper.
Explanation: Though they sound similar, 'rumiar' means 'to ruminate' or 'to chew cud' (for animals) or 'to ponder deeply' (for humans), while 'murmurar' refers to speaking quietly or gossiping.
This word:
Murmuraba quejas durante toda la reunión.
He was muttering complaints throughout the meeting.
Notes: Both verbs can indicate a repetitive action, but in different contexts: speech versus thought.
Mnemonic: 'Rumiar' relates to 'ruminate' in English (thinking deeply); 'murmurar' relates to 'murmur' (speaking quietly).