Lautstärke
/ˈlaʊ̯tˌʃtɛʁkə/feminine
The German word for volume (strength of sound) is Lautstärke.
Use Lautstärke specifically when referring to the intensity or level of sound. While it translates to volume, do not confuse it with the German word Volumen, which refers to physical space or the size of a book.
Meaning: strength of sound (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of laut, meaning loud and Stärke, meaning strength or intensity.
Which one should you use?
If you want to describe the sound itself as being loud, use the adjective laut instead of the noun Lautstärke.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine and is used with the definite article die (e.g., die Lautstärke).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlaʊ̯tˌʃtɛʁkə/
Did you know?
- The word Stärke in Lautstärke also means 'strength' in a physical sense and 'starch' in a culinary sense. In German, the word for a strong person and the powder used to thicken sauce is the same.
- The adjective laut can also mean 'according to' when used as a preposition, such as in laut Gesetz (according to the law). It has no connection to sound in this grammatical role.
- While Lautstärke refers to the level of sound, German uses the word Lautsprecher to mean 'loudspeaker'. It literally translates to 'loud speaker', turning a human description into a piece of hardware.
Examples in context
- Drehe die Lautstärke hoch.Turn the volume up.This sentence shows how to use Lautstärke when instructing someone to turn the volume up.Tatoeba #1684764 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #327406 by CK
- Wo ist der Lautstärkeregler?Where's the volume control?This sentence shows how to use Lautstärke when asking for the volume control.Tatoeba #12907888 by Waldelfe, translation #8511001 by CK
- Tom drehte die Lautstärke auf.Tom turned up the volume.This sentence shows how to use Lautstärke to describe someone turning the volume up.Tatoeba #4089380 by Dani6187, translation #2545125 by CK
- Könnten Sie bitte die Lautstärke des Fernsehers etwas leiser stellen?Could you please lower the volume of the TV a bit?
- Die Tonstärke der Musik in diesem Konzertsaal ist beeindruckend!The volume of the music in this concert hall is impressive!
- Diese Party ist toll, aber der Lautstärkepegel könnte etwas niedriger sein!This party is great, but the volume level could be a bit lower!
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are in their living room listening to music.
- SarahDie Lautstärke ist viel zu hoch.The volume is much too high.
- LukasSoll ich die Lautstärke etwas leiser machen?Should I make the volume a bit quieter?
- SarahJa, bitte, Lukas.Yes, please, Lukas.
- LukasAlles klar, ich regle sie jetzt runter.All right, I am turning it down now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “volume” translations and entries Lautstärke, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
