nocturne

/ˈnɒktɜːn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnɑːktɜːrn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnäk-ˌtərn/ (ame, mw)

nocturne — noun

  • nocturnesingular
  • nocturnesplural

1. a short, calm classical composition — usually written for solo piano — that sugg

1.名詞C1
釋義

a short, calm classical composition — usually written for solo piano — that suggests the mood or imagery of nighttime.

例句

Mizuki ended her recital with a soft Chopin nocturne that hushed the whole hall.

collocation: a Chopin nocturne; verb 'play / end with' + nocturne

The pianist composed a short nocturne after watching moonlight settle over the lake.

pattern: compose a nocturne (about / after [scene])

同義詞
  • serenade

    also gentle, but written to be performed in the evening for someone, often with voice or small ensemble

  • lullaby

    calm and soothing like a nocturne, but specifically meant to send a child to sleep, often with words

  • reverie

    a dreamy short piece, similar mood, but less tied to night imagery

反義詞
  • march

    loud, rhythmic piece meant for marching, the opposite mood of a nocturne

  • scherzo

    fast, lively, often playful piano piece — the energetic counterpart to the quiet nocturne

文法句型

a nocturne by [composer]

play a nocturne

用法筆記

Almost always used of a named piano work in the Romantic tradition; the composer's name (Chopin, Field, Fauré) typically appears with the noun, as in 'a Chopin nocturne'.

常見錯誤

❌I listened to a nocturne song last night.
✅I listened to a nocturne last night.
💡'nocturne' already names a piece of music, so 'nocturne song' is redundant.
❌The band wrote a nocturne for guitar and drums.
✅The band wrote a quiet, dreamy piece for guitar and drums.
💡'nocturne' belongs to the classical tradition (usually solo piano), not pop or rock.