muttering
muttering — 名詞
- mutteringsingular
- mutteringsplural
1. the low, continuous sound produced when a person or a group speaks in a very qui
低語；嘀咕
小聲且含糊的說話聲
the low, continuous sound produced when a person or a group speaks in a very quiet voice that is hard to hear clearly, often because they are worried, annoyed, or unwilling to be overheard
From the hallway we could hear the low muttering of people waiting outside the manager's office.
從走廊上，我們可以聽到經理辦公室外面等候的人發出的低聲嘀咕。
muttering of [people] — low, indistinct sound of quiet talk
A quiet muttering spread through the audience when the show was cancelled at the last minute.
當表演在最後一分鐘被取消時，一陣小聲的嘀咕在觀眾中傳開。
The librarian looked up at the muttering from a group of students in the corner.
圖書館員抬頭看向角落裡一群學生發出的低語聲。
All that came back was a nervous muttering that nobody could make out.
回應過來的只是一陣緊張的嘀咕聲，沒人能聽清楚。
- murmuring
slightly softer and less likely to imply complaint or worry
- whispering
deliberately quiet speech meant to avoid being heard; less continuous than muttering
用法筆記
Often describes the sound of several people speaking at once in low voices, rather than a single speaker. Frequently used with adjectives like low, angry, quiet, nervous.
常見錯誤
2. expressions of dissatisfaction that are shared discreetly among a small group of
私下抱怨
在小範圍內表達不滿
expressions of dissatisfaction that are shared discreetly among a small group of people rather than voiced openly or through official channels
There was a lot of muttering among the nurses about the new schedule, but nobody complained to the manager.
護理師之間對於新班表有很多私下抱怨，但沒有人向主管反映。
muttering among [group] about [topic] — discreet complaint
The team leader chose to ignore the muttering from a few members and pushed ahead with the plan.
組長選擇忽略幾個成員的私下不滿，繼續推行計畫。
Muttering about the price increase could be heard in the hallways all week.
整週都可以在走廊上聽到關於漲價的抱怨聲。
The CEO was aware of the muttering among staff about the new break policy.
執行長知道員工對於新休息制度有所不滿。
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable and typically used in singular form. The person or group being complained about is rarely present during the muttering.
muttering — 形容詞
- mutteringpositive
- more mutteringcomparative
- most mutteringsuperlative
1. producing low, unclear speech because you feel worried, annoyed, or dissatisfied
低聲嘀咕的
因擔心或不滿而小聲說話的
producing low, unclear speech because you feel worried, annoyed, or dissatisfied with something
The muttering passengers gathered by the information desk after the flight cancellation.
航班取消後，那些低聲抱怨的旅客聚集在服務台周圍。
muttering + plural noun — describes a group speaking quietly in annoyance
Adina cast a glance at the muttering students at the back of the lecture hall.
Adina 瞥了一眼禮堂後方那些低聲嘀咕的學生。
A muttering figure stood alone by the window, shaking his head slowly.
一個低聲嘀咕的身影獨自站在窗邊，緩緩地搖著頭。
The muttering crowd slowly moved toward the exit after the concert was called off.
演唱會取消後，那群低聲抱怨的人群慢慢走向出口。
用法筆記
Used attributively before a noun (muttering crowd, muttering passengers). Not used in predicative position — compare 'the passengers were muttering' (verb) vs 'the muttering passengers' (adjective).
2. openly expressing discontent or disapproval, typically in a low but audible tone
不滿的
用低聲表達不滿的
openly expressing discontent or disapproval, typically in a low but audible tone
A muttering customer returned the faulty kettle and demanded a refund.
一位不滿的顧客退回了故障的水壺，要求退款。
muttering + [person] — describes someone who is complaining quietly
The muttering voices from the kitchen told us the staff were unhappy with the new menu.
廚房傳來的不滿說話聲告訴我們員工對新菜單不滿意。
Muttering fans complained about the long wait outside the stadium gates.
不滿的球迷抱怨在體育館門外等太久了。
Mr. Okafor gave a muttering reply when asked about the budget cuts.
Okafor 先生在被問到預算削減時，只發出一聲不滿的回答。
- complaining
more direct and general; does not suggest a low voice
- grumbling
suggests ongoing irritation expressed in a low, repetitive way
muttering — 動詞
- mutteringpresent simple I / you / we / they
- mutterings3rd person singular
- mutteringing-ing form
- mutteringedpast simple
1. to speak in a very low, unclear voice with your lips barely moving, so that list
低聲說；咕噥
含糊不清地小聲說話
to speak in a very low, unclear voice with your lips barely moving, so that listeners cannot hear or understand you easily
The old man muttered something under his breath and walked away from the counter.
那位老先生低聲咕噥了幾句，然後從櫃檯前走開了。
mutter + something + under one's breath — common fixed phrase
Anjali muttered a quick apology and rushed out of the room before anyone could stop her.
Anjali 低聲匆匆道了歉，在任何人攔住她之前衝出了房間。
Instead of answering clearly, Eric just muttered into his scarf and looked down at his shoes.
Eric 沒有好好回答，只是對著圍巾咕噥了幾句，低頭看著自己的鞋子。
The little boy muttered a few words to himself while drawing a picture of a cat.
小男孩一邊畫貓，一邊對自己低聲說了幾句話。
Joaquín muttered something about a meeting as he hurried past the security desk.
Joaquín 匆忙經過警衛室時，低聲說了句關於會議的事。
文法句型
mutter + speech
mutter + to + person
mutter + about + noun
用法筆記
The speaker is often talking to themselves or deliberately not wanting to be heard clearly. Can be transitive (mutter + words) or intransitive (mutter about something).
常見錯誤
2. to express annoyance or dissatisfaction in a low, irritated voice, often talking
抱怨；發牢騷
低聲表達不滿或怒氣
to express annoyance or dissatisfaction in a low, irritated voice, often talking to yourself or to the people immediately around you
Eri muttered about the slow internet connection while refreshing the page for the third time.
Eri 一邊低聲抱怨網路太慢，一邊第三次重新整理頁面。
mutter + about + [annoying situation]
The passengers muttered angrily when the train stopped again between stations.
火車又在兩站之間停下時，乘客們生氣地低聲抱怨。
"This is not what I agreed to," he muttered under his breath as he read the contract.
「這不是我的同意的事，」他看著合約低聲咕噥。
Faisal muttered that the food was cold and pushed his plate to the side of the table.
Faisal 低聲抱怨食物是冷的，然後把盤子推到桌子一邊。
- praise
positive expression, opposite emotional content
文法句型
mutter + about + noun/ing-form
mutter + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense carries a stronger negative emotion than sense 1. The muttering is specifically about something annoying or unfair. Frequently used with the adverb angrily.
常見錯誤
3. to say something in a poorly-formed or confused way so that the words come out u
含糊說
混亂模糊地說出話語
to say something in a poorly-formed or confused way so that the words come out unclear and are hard for others to follow
The witness muttered a confused reply that the lawyer had to ask her to repeat twice.
證人含糊地說了一個令人困惑的回答，律師只好請她重複了兩次。
mutter + [unclear speech] — badly articulated utterance
Still half asleep, he muttered something that sounded like a mix of English and Spanish.
還半睡半醒的他咕噥了一些聽起來像是英文混雜西班牙文的話。
The old woman muttered a prayer in a voice so faint that her granddaughter could not tell the words.
老太太用極微弱的聲音含糊地念了一段禱文，孫女聽不清那些話。
In his feverish state, the patient muttered broken phrases that the nurse could barely understand.
處於發燒狀態的病人含糊地說出斷斷續續的話，護士幾乎聽不懂。
- enunciate
opposite — to speak clearly and distinctly
文法句型
mutter + speech/noun
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (which focuses on low volume) and sense 2 (which focuses on complaint), this sense focuses on poor clarity of articulation — the speaker may be confused, sleepy, ill, or simply not forming words properly.