What does sourdine in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word sourdine in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use sourdine in French.

The word sourdine in French means mute, softly, low, tone down. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word sourdine

mute

nom féminin (bouchon anti-bruit) (for trumpet, violin, piano etc.)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La sourdine est destinée à atténuer les bruits produits.

softly

locution adverbiale (musique : avec un dispositif silencieux)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il joue du piano en sourdine pour ne pas déranger les voisins.
He plays the piano softly, so as not to disturb the neighbours.

low

locution adverbiale (familier (pas fort) (sound)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Mets la radio en sourdine pour ne pas déranger le voisin.
Put the radio on low so we don't disturb the neighbour.

tone down

locution verbale (mettre un frein)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Les deux pays ont décidé de mettre une sourdine à leurs divergences.

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