Voice & Singing · Your Voice
The Speaking Voice in English
Describe how people sound – and how you want to sound.
Your voice says a lot about you before your words do. Learn the vocabulary to describe pitch, volume, pace and tone, and the phrases to talk about your own speaking voice.
Key Words
Ten essential words with their German meaning and an example sentence.
| English | German | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pitch | Tonhöhe, Stimmlage | Her voice has a low, warm pitch. |
| tone of voice | Tonfall | Don't speak to me in that tone of voice! |
| volume | Lautstärke | Could you turn the volume up a little? |
| projection | Stimmtragfähigkeit | Good projection means the back row can hear you. |
| pace | Sprechtempo | Slow your pace down when you explain something new. |
| intonation | Satzmelodie, Intonation | English intonation often falls at the end of a statement. |
| emphasis | Betonung, Nachdruck | Put the emphasis on the most important word. |
| monotonous | monoton | A monotonous voice makes it hard to listen. |
| to mumble | nuscheln | Please don't mumble – speak up! |
| husky · croaky · squeaky | rauchig · krächzend · piepsig | My voice sounds croaky in the morning. |
Word Partners
Natural English depends on words that belong together. Learn these as complete phrases.
- to raise your voice
- to lower your voice
- to speak up
- a soft voice
- a deep voice
- to sound confident
- to clear your throat
- at the top of your voice
"She lowered her voice so the others couldn't hear."
Useful Phrases
Sentence patterns you can use straight away.
Describing a voice
- He has a deep, calm voice.
- She speaks very quickly.
- His voice carries well.
- She sounds a bit nervous.
Asking people to change
- Could you speak up a little?
- Could you slow down, please?
- Sorry, I didn't catch that.
- There's no need to shout!
Talk About It
Answer these questions aloud, write a short paragraph, or discuss them with a partner.
- How would you describe your own speaking voice?
- Whose voice do you enjoy listening to – and why?
- Do you sound different when you speak English?
- What makes a voice sound confident?
Test Yourself
Click a question to see the answer.
1. What is "nuscheln" in English?
To mumble.
2. What do we call a voice that never changes pitch?
Monotonous.
3. Complete: "Could you speak ___, please? I can't hear you."
Up.
Explore More
More pages in the Voice & Singing series.
Find your voice in English.
Learn the words, use them in real sentences and enjoy using your voice in English.
Clear. Calm. Confident.