laut
/laʊ̯t/
The English word 'loud' is translated into German as laut.
laut is an adjective used to describe a sound that is loud. Its antonym is leise, which means quiet or soft.
Meaning: of a sound (adj)
Which one should you use?
While laut is the adjective used to describe a sound, the German noun for 'the volume' is die Lautstärke.
How does it change in a sentence?
The comparative form of laut is lauter (louder), and the superlative form is am lautesten (loudest).
How do you pronounce it?
/laʊ̯t/
Did you know?
- The German word laut can mean 'according to' or 'in accordance with' when used in legal or formal contexts, such as in the phrase laut Gesetz, meaning 'according to the law'.
- German has a specific word lautmalerisch to describe something that is 'onomatopoeic'. It literally combines laut for 'sound' and malen for 'to paint'.
- The noun der Laut does not mean 'loudness' but refers to a 'sound' or 'phone' in linguistics, such as a specific vowel or consonant.
Examples in context
- Es ist zu laut.It's too loud.Tatoeba #1314497 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #275485 by CK
- Tom ist zu laut.Tom is too loud.Tatoeba #4010114 by pullnosemans, translation #3921109 by CK
- War ich zu laut?Was I too loud?Tatoeba #8304140 by Luiaard, translation #5758371 by CM
- Die Musik ist laut.The music is loud.
- Der Raum ist geräuschvoll.The room is loud/noisy.
- Der Blitz war krachend laut.The lightning was loud with a crashing sound.
- Da war ganz schön Radau!There was quite a ruckus/noise!
- 178 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are in a cafe with loud music.
- MaximilianIst die Musik hier zu laut?Is the music here too loud?
- SarahJa, sie ist wirklich sehr laut.Yes, it is really very loud.
- MaximilianSollen wir woanders hingehen?Should we go somewhere else?
- SarahJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “loud” translations and entries laut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
