mutter

/ˈmʌtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmʌtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmə-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmʌt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmʌt̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

mutter — 動詞

  • mutterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • muttershe / she / it
  • mutteredpast simple
  • muttering-ing form

1. to say words in a low, unclear voice that is hard for other people to hear clear

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

低語；嘀咕

小聲說話讓人聽不清

to say words in a low, unclear voice that is hard for other people to hear clearly — often done when you feel worried, annoyed, or do not want others to understand what you are saying.

例句

Tendai muttered an apology to the librarian before hurrying out of the reading room.

Tendai 低聲向圖書館員道歉，然後匆匆走出閱覽室。

transitive: mutter + noun phrase (apology)

The old man sat by the window, muttering to himself about the cold weather.

那位老先生坐在窗邊，嘀咕著天氣很冷。

intransitive: mutter + to + oneself + about

同義詞
  • murmur

    softer and more continuous; can be pleasant or contented, not necessarily annoyed

  • mumble

    speaks with the mouth partly closed, making words even less distinct; less emotional than mutter

  • whisper

    uses breath without vocal cord vibration; can be clearer and intentional; no implication of annoyance

反義詞
  • shout

    speak very loudly, the opposite of muttering

  • declare

    state clearly and publicly, not quietly

文法句型

mutter + to + person/oneself

mutter + noun phrase

mutter + about + noun

mutter + adverb (angrily/softly)

用法筆記

Frequently appears in continuous form (was/were muttering) to describe ongoing quiet speech. The intransitive pattern ('mutter to oneself') is more common than the transitive pattern. Unlike 'whisper,' muttering involves vocal cord vibration and produces unclear, mumbled sounds rather than breathy speech.

常見錯誤

❌He muttered loudly across the room so everyone could hear.
✅He muttered quietly to himself in the corner.
💡'mutter' always suggests a low, unclear voice, so 'loudly' contradicts the meaning.

2. to express unhappiness or disagreement about something in a quiet voice, so that

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

私下抱怨

小聲表達不滿不讓對方聽見

to express unhappiness or disagreement about something in a quiet voice, so that the person you are criticising does not hear you directly.

例句

The workers muttered about the new policy but no one spoke up at the meeting.

員工們私下抱怨新政策，但在會議上卻沒人敢說。

collocation: mutter + about + noun (policy)

Alessia muttered a complaint when her brother took the last piece of cake.

Alessia 咕噥著埋怨哥哥拿走了最後一塊蛋糕。

transitive: mutter + noun phrase (complaint)

同義詞
  • grumble

    more persistent and audible; often done habitually or openly

  • complain

    more direct and can be public; a neutral term without the secrecy of mutter

  • grouse

    informal British term for complaining about small annoyances; less common in US English

反義詞
  • praise

    express approval, the opposite of complaining

  • applaud

    show public support, opposite of privately complaining

文法句型

mutter + about + noun

mutter + that-clause

mutter + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is typically a person or group who feels wronged but does not want direct confrontation. Distinguish from verb/s1 (SPEAK QUIETLY): in this sense the speaker is always expressing dissatisfaction or disagreement, whereas verb/s1 describes the manner of quiet speech regardless of emotional content.

常見錯誤

❌She muttered her disagreement to the boss directly during the presentation.
✅She muttered her disagreement under her breath after the meeting.
💡'mutter' when complaining implies avoiding direct confrontation, not speaking openly.

mutter — 名詞