murmur
/ˈmɜːmə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɜːrmər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmər-mər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɜː.mər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɝː.mɚ/ (ame, ipa)
murmur — 動詞
- murmurpresent simple I / you / we / they
- murmurshe / she / it
- murmuredpast simple
- murmuring-ing form
1. voice so low that people nearby cannot catch the words clearly — done when shari
低語；低聲說
用低沉柔和的聲音說話
voice so low that people nearby cannot catch the words clearly — done when sharing a secret, whispering a prayer, or making a quiet remark to someone.
Marta murmured a thank-you to her aunt as they left the church.
Marta 在離開教堂時低聲向阿姨道謝。
murmur + noun phrase (direct object)
The children murmured their lines in the school play, sounding too shy to be heard.
孩子們在學校話劇中低聲唸台詞，聽起來很害羞。
murmur + possessive + noun phrase
Ezra murmured something in Tariro's ear, and he nodded without looking up.
Ezra 在 Tariro 耳邊低聲說了句話，他沒抬頭，只是點了點頭。
Lien murmured a quiet prayer before the exam papers were handed out.
Lien 在考試卷發下來之前低聲默禱。
"I'll be right back," he murmured, then slipped out of the room.
「我馬上回來，」他低聲說，然後悄悄溜出了房間。
- whisper
more common than 'murmur'; can be any low-voice speech, while 'murmur' often implies a softer, less articulate sound
- mutter
suggests grumbling or speaking with the mouth partly closed; 'murmur' is gentler and not necessarily negative
- mumble
implies unclear pronunciation; 'murmur' can still be clear even if quiet
文法句型
murmur + noun phrase
murmur + direct speech
murmur + to + person
用法筆記
Commonly used with direct objects such as 'thank-you', 'apology', 'prayer', or 'name'. Can also introduce direct speech without a reporting verb change.
常見錯誤
2. to express mild dissatisfaction or disagreement in a low, private way, without r
低聲抱怨
小聲表達不滿或不同意
to express mild dissatisfaction or disagreement in a low, private way, without raising the issue openly or directly.
Several staff members murmured about the new schedule but said nothing aloud.
幾位員工私下抱怨新的排班表，但沒有人當面說出來。
murmur + about + noun phrase (intransitive)
Gabriel murmured that the meeting had been a complete waste of time.
Gabriel 嘀咕說那場會議完全是在浪費時間。
murmur + that-clause for complaint
The passengers murmured against the two-hour delay at the boarding gate.
乘客們低聲抱怨登機口延誤了兩個小時。
Hui heard a few neighbours murmur about the unfair rent increase last week.
Hui 聽到幾位鄰居私下抱怨上週的租金漲得太不合理。
- grumble
more openly negative; often implies repeated complaining; 'murmur' is quieter and less confrontational
- complain
general term for expressing dissatisfaction; 'murmur' specifically adds the element of quiet, private expression
- mutter
overlaps with 'murmur' but can suggest anger; 'murmur' in this sense is softer
- praise publicly
the opposite of complaining privately
- applaud
to express approval rather than dissatisfaction
文法句型
murmur + about + noun phrase
murmur + against + noun phrase
murmur + that-clause
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'about' or 'against' to specify the target of the complaint. This sense is always intransitive; the person complained about is introduced by a preposition.
常見錯誤
murmur — 名詞
- murmursingular
- murmursplural
1. the low, soft sound produced when people are speaking in voices that are not mea
低語；喃喃
人們小聲說話的持續聲音
the low, soft sound produced when people are speaking in voices that are not meant to be heard clearly — such as the background noise of a room full of quiet conversation.
All Kevin could hear was the low murmur of voices from the next room.
Kevin 只聽到隔壁房間傳來低聲交談的喃喃聲。
the murmur of + voices (speech sound)
A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd after the speaker finished.
演講者結束後，群眾中響起一陣低聲贊同的喃喃聲。
a murmur of + emotion/response
Marta caught the murmur of an apology as Bilal rushed past her desk.
Marta 聽到 Bilal 匆匆經過她桌前時低聲道歉的聲音。
The only sound in the hall was the soft murmur of students discussing their homework.
廳裡唯一聽到的聲音，就是學生輕聲討論作業的喃喃聲。
文法句型
a murmur of + noun
the murmur of + noun
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' + a noun describing the speech or its effect, e.g. 'a murmur of voices', 'a murmur of surprise'.
常見錯誤
2. a gentle, continuous noise made by something such as water, wind, leaves, or mac
輕柔之聲
水流、風或機器發出的輕柔連續聲
a gentle, continuous noise made by something such as water, wind, leaves, or machinery — steady, soft, and often soothing to hear.
The murmur of the stream helped Tariro fall asleep by the campsite.
小溪的潺潺流水聲幫助 Tariro 在營地旁睡著了。
the murmur of + natural feature
From the garden came the steady murmur of bees among the lavender flowers.
花園裡傳來蜜蜂在薰衣草間的穩定嗡鳴聲。
murmur of + animals/insects
The old refrigerator in the corner made a constant low murmur all night long.
角落那台老冰箱整晚發出持續低沉的運轉聲。
Hoa listened to the murmur of the wind through the pine trees behind the house.
Hoa 聆聽風吹過屋後松樹的颯颯聲。
文法句型
the murmur of + (natural element)
a murmur of + (noun)
用法筆記
Describes non-speech sounds only. To refer to the same sound from people, use noun sense 1. Subject is typically a natural element or machine.
常見錯誤
3. an expression of dissatisfaction or disagreement spoken in a low voice among a s
怨言；嘀咕
小範圍內低聲表達的不滿
an expression of dissatisfaction or disagreement spoken in a low voice among a small group, without being directed at the person responsible.
There were murmurs of discontent when the school announced the lunch price increase.
學校宣布調漲午餐費時，傳來陣陣不滿的嘀咕聲。
murmurs of + emotion (discontent)
Sirin ignored the murmurs from the back of the room and continued her lesson.
Sirin 不理會教室後方的嘀咕聲，繼續上課。
The proposed changes to the park caused quiet murmurs among the local residents.
公園改建的提案引起當地居民低聲抱怨。
Manuela heard murmurs that the manager was thinking of leaving the company soon.
Manuela 聽到風聲說經理可能很快就要離職。
- grumble
more openly negative and often repeated; 'murmur' is subtler and less aggressive
- whisper campaign
a deliberate spread of negative information; 'murmur' is more spontaneous and less organised
- discontent
the feeling itself, not the expression; 'murmur' is the audible expression of discontent
文法句型
murmurs of + noun
murmurs about + noun
用法筆記
Typically appears in the plural ('murmurs') to suggest multiple people sharing the same quiet complaint. Singular 'murmur' in this sense is rare and usually refers to the sound of the complaint rather than the complaint itself.