voce bassa
The English phrase 'low voice' is translated into Italian as voce bassa.
voce bassa refers to a quiet way of speaking used so that others cannot hear or to avoid disturbing people. If you specifically want to talk about whispering, the verb sussurrare is used. Another way to express the idea of speaking softly is the phrase parlare piano.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of voce, meaning voice and bassa, meaning low.
Which one should you use?
While voce bassa refers to a quiet volume, the term voce alta is used to describe a loud or high voice.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because voce is a feminine noun, the adjective bassa must take the feminine singular ending. When using this as an adverbial phrase meaning 'in a low voice', it is preceded by the preposition a, forming a voce bassa.
Did you know?
- While voce bassa refers to volume, Italian uses the word piano to describe both 'softly' and 'slowly'. Depending on the context, parlare piano can mean speaking quietly or speaking slowly.
- The word piano used in the phrase parlare piano is also the name for a 'piano', as both share the musical meaning of 'softly'.
- In Italian, the word bassa used in voce bassa also means 'low' in terms of physical height or musical pitch. This means the same word describes a short person and a bass singer.
Examples in context
- Tom parlò a voce bassa.Tom spoke in a low voice.This sentence demonstrates the use of voce bassa.Tatoeba #2822761 by Guybrush88, translation #2821497 by CK
- Lei parla sempre a voce bassa.She always speaks in a low voice.Tatoeba #1616298 by hitori37, translation #310468 by CK
- Per favore, parlate con voce bassa durante la riunione.Please speak with a low voice during the meeting.
- Sussurra il tuo segreto con voce bassa.Whisper your secret with a low voice.
- Per favore, parlami piano. I bambini stanno dormendo.Please speak softly, the children are sleeping.
- Per favore, parla a voce bassa in biblioteca.Please, speak in a low voice in the library.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are in a quiet cinema.
- AlessandroChiara, hai sentito cosa ha detto?Chiara, did you hear what he said?
- ChiaraNo, parlava a voce bassa.No, he was speaking in a low voice.
- AlessandroNon è stato possibile capire nulla.It wasn't possible to understand anything.
- ChiaraDobbiamo stare attenti a non disturbare.We must be careful not to disturb others.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
