berceuse
/ber-ˈsœz -ˈsüz/ (ame, mw)
berceuse — 名詞
1. A piece of music, usually written in a gentle, rocking rhythm, that has the soft
搖籃曲式
模仿搖籃曲風格的器樂演奏曲
A piece of music, usually written in a gentle, rocking rhythm, that has the soft, calming feel of a lullaby but is played on an instrument rather than sung.
Elara played a gentle berceuse on the piano while the guests finished their tea.
Elara 在賓客們喝茶時以鋼琴彈奏了一首輕柔的搖籃曲式。
The berceuse for violin and harp moved many listeners to tears at the concert.
那首為小提琴與豎琴所寫的搖籃曲式，在音樂會上讓許多聽眾感動落淚。
collocation: berceuse for [instrument]
Kwame closed his radio show with a quiet berceuse by Fauré late at night.
夜深時，Kwame 以一首佛瑞的安靜搖籃曲式結束了他的廣播節目。
Dimitri wrote a short berceuse for his newborn daughter the week she arrived.
Dimitri 在女兒出生的那一週，為她寫了一首簡短的搖籃曲式。
Yuna's piano teacher asked her to play the berceuse with a gentler touch.
Yuna 的鋼琴老師要求她以更輕柔的觸鍵來彈奏這首搖籃曲式。
- lullaby
In music terminology, 'lullaby' can also name an instrumental piece; 'berceuse' is the more specialised term used by musicians.
- cradle song
Used more often for sung lullabies; 'berceuse' is preferred for the instrumental form.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense refers to an instrumental musical composition, not a song meant to be sung aloud. Common in classical music contexts and often paired with a specific instrument (e.g. 'berceuse for piano').
2. A quiet, gentle song that is sung to help a baby or small child settle down and
搖籃曲
哄嬰幼兒入睡的輕柔歌曲
A quiet, gentle song that is sung to help a baby or small child settle down and fall asleep.
Fatima hummed an old berceuse and the baby soon fell asleep against her chest.
Fatima 哼了一首古老的搖籃曲，寶寶很快就在她胸前睡著了。
collocation: hum a berceuse
Henrik's voice was rough, but his daughter always loved the berceuse he sang.
Henrik 的聲音粗啞，但他女兒始終喜愛他唱的那首搖籃曲。
Sana whispered a short berceuse before kissing her son and switching off the lamp.
Sana 輕聲唸了一首短短的搖籃曲，然後親了親兒子，關上了燈。
The night nurse sang a quiet berceuse to calm the frightened little girl.
夜班護士唱了一首安靜的搖籃曲來安撫那個受驚的小女孩。
Joaquín forgot the words, so he simply hummed the berceuse his grandmother gave him.
Joaquín 忘了歌詞，便乾脆哼起祖母傳給他的那首搖籃曲。
- lullaby
The everyday English equivalent; 'lullaby' is much more common in speech and ordinary writing.
- cradle song
A more literary term, similar in register to 'berceuse' but native English rather than a French borrowing.
用法筆記
This is the original French meaning of 'berceuse'. In everyday English, 'lullaby' is far more common; 'berceuse' in this sense is used mainly in literary or formal writing. Subject is almost always a person singing or humming to a child.