whispering
/ˈwɪs.pər/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɪspɚɪŋ] /ˈwɪs.pɚ/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɪspɚɪŋ] /ˈ(h)wi-sp(ə-)riŋ/ (ame, mw)
whispering — 動詞
- whisperingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- whisperings3rd person singular
- whisperinging-ing form
- whisperingedpast simple
1. to use your breath to form words so quietly that only someone right next to you
低語；輕聲說
用氣音小聲說話
to use your breath to form words so quietly that only someone right next to you can understand what is being said, typically to keep others from overhearing.
Theo whispered to Naoko that the meeting had been cancelled.
Theo 低聲對 Naoko 說會議取消了。
whisper + to + person + that-clause
"Be quiet, the baby is sleeping," Amihan whispered.
Amihan 低聲說：「安靜點，嬰兒在睡覺。」
whisper + direct speech
The children whispered among themselves during the long ceremony.
孩子們在冗長的典禮中彼此竊竊私語。
Kasia whispered something into her mother's ear and giggled.
Kasia 在媽媽耳邊低聲說了句話，然後咯咯笑了起來。
Trang leaned across the table and whispered, "I have a secret to tell you."
Trang 傾身靠向桌子，低聲說：「我有個秘密要告訴你。」
文法句型
whisper + to + person
whisper + that-clause
whisper + direct speech
用法筆記
Frequently used with an indirect object introduced by 'to': 'whispered to her friend'. Direct speech can follow without a conjunction.
常見錯誤
2. to suggest or pass on information secretly, especially about someone's private l
謠傳
私下散播未經證實的消息
to suggest or pass on information secretly, especially about someone's private life, when its truth is uncertain.
Ilan whispered that the director had accepted a bribe from the contractor.
Ilan 私下放話說主管收受了包商的賄賂。
whisper + that-clause for rumours
In every small town, someone is always whispering about the neighbours.
每個小鎮都有人在背後議論鄰居的是非。
whisper + about + noun
It was whispered around the office that the manager had been fired for stealing.
辦公室裡有人私下傳言，經理因偷竊被開除了。
Various people were whispering that the prince had left the country after the failed uprising.
不少人私下傳說王子在起義失敗後離開了國家。
- confirm
to state that something is definitely true, supported by evidence
文法句型
whisper + that-clause
whisper + about + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the passive ('it is whispered that…') to avoid naming the source of the information. Common in contexts involving scandal or gossip.
常見錯誤
whispering — 名詞
1. speech produced by using the breath rather than vibrating the vocal cords, so th
低語；耳語
用氣音說話的方式
speech produced by using the breath rather than vibrating the vocal cords, so that only listeners who are very near can understand the words.
Mert answered in a whisper, afraid to wake the baby.
Mert 低聲回答，深怕吵醒嬰兒。
in a whisper
The librarian's voice dropped to a whisper when she mentioned the old manuscript.
圖書館員提到那本古老手稿時，將聲音壓低成耳語。
drop to a whisper
The students spoke in whispers so the teacher would not hear them.
學生們竊竊私語，以免被老師聽見。
Ife struggled to understand the patient's whisper through the oxygen mask.
Ife 努力想聽懂病人隔著氧氣面罩的低語。
文法句型
in a whisper
in whispers
drop to a whisper
用法筆記
Commonly appears in fixed phrases like 'in a whisper', 'in whispers', and 'drop to a whisper'. Can be used as an uncountable noun ('Whispering is not allowed in the exam').
2. a piece of unconfirmed information or gossip that spreads from person to person
謠言；傳聞
私下流傳未經證實的消息
a piece of unconfirmed information or gossip that spreads from person to person in a private manner.
Whispers about the mayor's secret finances soon reached the newsroom.
關於市長秘密財務狀況的傳言很快就傳到了編輯部。
whispers about [topic]
Christopher had heard whispers that the factory was going to close.
Christopher 聽到耳語說工廠快要關門了。
hear whispers + that-clause
There were whispers of corruption among senior staff at the hospital.
醫院高層員工之間流傳著貪腐的傳聞。
Whispers of a merger between the two banks had been circulating for months.
兩家銀行合併的傳聞已經流傳了好幾個月。
- rumour
more direct and common; 'whispers' is slightly more secretive in tone
- gossip
focuses on personal or trivial matters, often less serious
- speculation
more formal; based on incomplete information, not necessarily about private matters
- confirmation
a statement or proof that something is definitely true
- fact
information that is known to be true and can be proven
文法句型
whispers + of + noun
whispers + about + noun
whispers + that-clause
用法筆記
Typically used in the plural form 'whispers', even when referring to a single piece of gossip. Often followed by 'of', 'about', or a that-clause.
3. a soft, continuous noise that resembles the sound of a person whispering, for ex
沙沙；颯颯
類似低語的柔軟連續聲響
a soft, continuous noise that resembles the sound of a person whispering, for example leaves moving in the wind or fabric brushing against itself.
The only sound was the whisper of silk as the bride walked down the aisle.
唯一的聲響是新娘走過走道時絲綢摩擦的沙沙聲。
the whisper of [fabric]
Old Mr. Kim sat on the porch listening to the whisper of the wind through the bamboo.
金老先生坐在門廊上，聆聽風穿過竹林的颯颯低語。
A soft whisper of rain against the window lulled the children to sleep.
窗外雨水的輕柔沙沙聲讓孩子們安然入睡。
The whisper of dry leaves on the pavement was the only sound in the quiet street.
枯葉在人行道上沙沙作響的聲音是寂靜街道上唯一的聲響。
文法句型
the whisper of + noun
用法筆記
Used in descriptive or literary writing to characterise gentle natural sounds. The pattern 'the whisper of + noun' is the most common form.
whispering — 形容詞
- whisperingpositive
- more whisperingcomparative
- most whisperingsuperlative
1. producing a gentle, continuous, low sound like that of quiet speech or light mov
輕柔作響的
發出柔軟連續低音的
producing a gentle, continuous, low sound like that of quiet speech or light movement.
The whispering leaves of the poplar trees gave the garden a peaceful feeling.
白楊樹沙沙作響的葉子為花園帶來寧靜的氛圍。
whispering + leaves / trees
A whispering stream ran through the valley, barely audible from the trail above.
一條潺潺低語的小溪流經山谷，從上方小徑幾乎聽不見水流聲。
Sakura and her younger brother lay in bed listening to the whispering rain on the roof.
Sakura 和弟弟躺在床上，聆聽屋頂上細雨的低語聲。
The whispering breeze carried the scent of jasmine through the open window.
沙沙作響的微風穿過敞開的窗戶，帶來了茉莉花的香氣。
- roaring
producing a very loud, deep sound
- thundering
making an extremely loud, heavy sound
文法句型
whispering + noun
用法筆記
Common in nature writing and descriptive prose. Typically used before a noun (attributive position) to describe sounds made by natural elements.