flüstern
/ˈflʏstɐn/
To whisper in German is flüstern. If unsure, use flüstern. Wiktionary also lists wispern and wispeln.
Meaning: talk in a quiet voice (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| flüstern | /ˈflʏstɐn/ |
| wispern | /ˈvɪspərn/ |
| wispeln |
The primary way to express the act of talking in a quiet voice is through the verb flüstern. If you want to refer to a whispered secret, you can use the phrase Geflüstertes Geheimnis.
Which one should you use?
The verb flüstern is the standard, most common way to say 'to whisper' in everyday German. In contrast, wispern is a more poetic or literary form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a verb, flüstern is a weak verb, which means it follows regular conjugation patterns such as flüsterte and geflüstert. Related nouns for the act of speaking in a quiet voice include Flüstern and Wispern.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈflʏstɐn/
Did you know?
- The verb flüstern is an onomatopoeia, meaning the word itself was designed to mimic the actual sound of whispering.
- In German, the noun das Flüstern can be used to describe not just human speech, but also the sound of wind or leaves moving in the trees.
Examples in context
- Ich habe Sie flüstern hören.I heard you whisper.This sentence is useful for describing hearing someone whisper using flüstern.Tatoeba #7919644 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7919474 by shekitten
- Niemand wagte es, ein Wort zu flüstern.Nobody dared whisper a word.This sentence is useful for describing the hesitation to whisper a word using flüstern.Tatoeba #12613344 by Waldelfe, translation #7919667 by Hybrid
- Ich bin heiser, deshalb muss ich flüstern.I'm hoarse, so I have to whisper.This sentence is useful for explaining the necessity to whisper due to being hoarse using flüstern.Tatoeba #7844945 by brauchinet, translation #12481880 by sundown
- Bitte flüstern Sie, die Präsentation hat bereits begonnen.Please whisper, the presentation has already started.
- Er spricht nur in geflüsterten Worten über dieses Thema.He only speaks about this topic in whispered words.
- Ich kenne ein geflüstertes Geheimnis, das ich dir erzählen möchte.I know a whispered secret that I want to tell you.
- Leise wie ein Flüstern im Wind.Quiet like a whisper in the wind.
- Die beiden sind wie Flüsterer im Dunkeln.They are like whisperers in the dark.
- Würdest du bitte für mich flüstern?Could you please whisper for me?
- Ich kann dir nur leise von meinem geflüsterten Geheimnis erzählen.I can only softly tell you about my whispered secret.
- Die leisen Stimmen im Raum wurden zu einem Flüstern.The quiet voices in the room turned into whispers.
- Lass uns flüstern, damit niemand unsere Worte hört.Let's whisper so no one can hear our words.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are in a quiet library.
- MaximilianJulia, wir müssen hier leise flüstern.Julia, we have to whisper quietly here.
- JuliaDu hast recht, Maximilian.You are right, Maximilian.
- MaximilianIch kann dich kaum hören, wenn du so flüsterst.I can hardly hear you when you whisper like that.
- JuliaEntschuldigung, ich werde etwas lauter sprechen.Sorry, I will speak a little louder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whisper” translations and entries flüstern, wispern, wispeln, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries flüstern, wispeln, wispern, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
