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A2 adjective #9,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

inaudible

Top 9,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces inaudible en 30 secondes

Explication inaudible in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn Spanish. You probably know the word 'escuchar' (to listen) or 'oír' (to hear). 'Inaudible' is a bit advanced for A1, but you can understand it because it looks like the English word 'inaudible'. Think of it as 'no se puede oír' (it cannot be heard). At this stage, you don't need to use it in every sentence, but recognizing it in a text or a movie subtitle is a great way to build your vocabulary. Just remember that it describes a sound that is too quiet to hear. For example, if your teacher speaks very, very softly, you might say 'No oigo' (I don't hear), but you are learning that the word 'inaudible' describes that soft voice. Focus on the fact that 'in-' means 'not'. This will help you learn many other Spanish words later!

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At the A2 level, you are beginning to describe things in more detail. 'Inaudible' is a perfect word for this stage. It is an adjective, which means it describes a noun. In Spanish, it works for both masculine and feminine things. You might use it to talk about technology, like a bad phone connection ('El audio es inaudible'), or about someone whispering ('Su voz es inaudible'). Notice that we often use it with the verb 'ser' (to be). You should also learn the plural form: 'inaudibles'. If you have two sounds you can't hear, they are 'sonidos inaudibles'. This word helps you move away from simple phrases like 'muy bajo' (very low) and makes your Spanish sound more natural and precise. Try using it next time you can't hear a video in class!

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'inaudible' in various contexts. You can start pairing it with adverbs to be more specific. For example, 'casi inaudible' (almost inaudible) or 'totalmente inaudible' (totally inaudible). You also start to see it in more formal writing, like news articles or stories. At this level, you should understand the difference between 'inaudible' (cannot be heard) and 'silencioso' (making no noise). A 'silencioso' person chooses not to speak, but an 'inaudible' voice is one that is physically impossible to hear in that moment. You might also use it with the verb 'resultar' (to turn out to be), as in 'Su explicación resultó inaudible por el tráfico'. This shows you are mastering more complex sentence structures and can describe cause and effect regarding sound and environment.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'inaudible' with confidence in professional and academic settings. You should be able to discuss the physical properties of sound using this word, such as frequencies that are 'inaudibles para el ser humano'. You will also encounter it in literature as a way to create mood or atmosphere. At this stage, you should be careful not to confuse it with 'inaudito', which sounds similar but means 'unheard of' or 'outrageous'. A B2 student knows that 'inaudible' is purely about the sense of hearing. You can also use it in the passive voice or with 'se' constructions, like 'se volvió inaudible' (it became inaudible). Your ability to use this cognate correctly in both literal and figurative senses demonstrates a strong grasp of Spanish vocabulary and its Latin roots.

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As a C1 learner, you use 'inaudible' to express subtle nuances in meaning. You might use it in a metaphorical sense to describe 'inaudible' changes in society or 'inaudible' whispers of history—things that are present but not overtly recognized. You understand the phonetic nuances and can use the word in complex debates about acoustics, technology, or linguistics. You are also aware of its synonyms like 'imperceptible' or 'tenue' and can choose the exact word that fits the context perfectly. In a C1 essay, you might use 'inaudible' to describe the limitations of human perception or the failure of communication in a modern play. Your use of the word is no longer just about 'volume' but about the deeper implications of what remains unheard in a conversation or a culture.

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At the C2 level, 'inaudible' is a tool for precision in highly specialized or artistic contexts. You might explore the philosophical concept of 'lo inaudible'—the realm of sounds or ideas that exist beyond our sensory reach. You can use the word in technical audio engineering discussions, legal analysis of garbled evidence, or high-level literary criticism. You have a complete understanding of its etymology and how it relates to other words in the 'audio' family. Your mastery allows you to use 'inaudible' in a way that feels completely native, employing it with perfect syntax, appropriate register, and within complex rhetorical structures. You can distinguish between 'inaudible' (unable to be heard) and 'unheard' (never heard before), navigating the subtle boundaries of Spanish vocabulary with ease and sophistication.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

inaudible en 30 secondes

Inaudible describes sounds that cannot be heard due to low volume, distance, or extreme frequency.
It is a Spanish-English cognate, making it easy for learners to recognize and use correctly.
In Spanish, it is a gender-neutral adjective (terminates in -e) but must agree in number (inaudibles).
It is used in technical, legal, literary, and everyday contexts like bad phone connections.

The Spanish word inaudible is a powerful adjective used to describe sounds that exist but cannot be perceived by the human ear. Derived from the Latin prefix 'in-' (not) and 'audibilis' (able to be heard), it functions almost identically to its English cognate. In the realm of Spanish linguistics, it is classified as an adjective of a single termination, meaning it does not change its form based on gender; whether you are describing a 'susurro' (whisper - masculine) or a 'voz' (voice - feminine), the word remains inaudible. This makes it a relatively easy addition to the vocabulary of an English speaker, though its nuanced application in literary and technical contexts requires deeper study.

Physical Limitation: In its most literal sense, it refers to frequencies or volumes that fall below the threshold of human hearing. For instance, high-frequency whistles used for dogs are considered inaudibles for humans.
Environmental Interference: It is frequently used when a sound is drowned out by ambient noise. If you are at a crowded concert and try to speak, your words might become inaudibles due to the roar of the music.
Technical Quality: In the world of audio engineering and telecommunications, a signal might be described as inaudible if the recording quality is poor or if the transmission is lost.

El murmullo del viento era casi inaudible entre los árboles altos del bosque profundo.

Translation: The murmur of the wind was almost inaudible among the tall trees of the deep forest.

Beyond the physical, 'inaudible' often carries a metaphorical weight in Spanish literature. It can describe a secret that is felt but not heard, or a change in atmosphere that is so subtle it lacks a sonic presence. When a character in a novel speaks with an 'inaudible' tone, it usually signifies extreme hesitation, fear, or a desire for privacy. Understanding this word involves recognizing that it isn't just about 'silence' (silencio), but about the *failure* or *impossibility* of hearing something that is actually being produced.

La grabación de la entrevista resultó ser inaudible por fallos técnicos.

A veces, los ultrasonidos son inaudibles para el oído humano pero no para los animales.

In a social context, using 'inaudible' can be a polite way to tell someone you can't hear them without sounding dismissive. Instead of saying 'No te oigo' (I don't hear you), which can sometimes sound blunt, saying 'Tu voz es casi inaudible' (Your voice is almost inaudible) shifts the focus to the quality of the sound itself. This nuance is vital for A2 learners who are beginning to navigate more complex social interactions in Spanish-speaking environments. Whether you are dealing with a faulty microphone or a shy friend, 'inaudible' provides the precise vocabulary needed to describe the auditory gap.

Using inaudible correctly in Spanish involves a few key grammatical considerations. Firstly, as an adjective ending in '-e', it is gender-neutral. This means it agrees with both masculine and feminine nouns without changing its ending. However, it must still agree in number. If you are describing multiple sounds, 'inaudible' becomes inaudibles. This simplicity makes it a favorite for learners, but the placement and the choice of verbs like 'ser' vs. 'estar' are where the real mastery lies.

With the Verb 'Ser': Use 'ser' when describing an inherent quality of the sound. For example, 'El ultrasonido es inaudible' (Ultrasound is inaudible). Here, the inaudibility is a permanent characteristic of the sound frequency.
With the Verb 'Resultar' or 'Hacerse': These verbs are common when a sound *becomes* or *turns out to be* inaudible due to circumstances. 'Su voz se hizo inaudible' (His voice became inaudible) suggests a change over time, perhaps as the person moved further away.
Adverbial Modifiers: Commonly paired with 'casi' (almost), 'completamente' (completely), or 'prácticamente' (practically) to provide degree. 'Es casi inaudible' is a very frequent collocation in conversational Spanish.

Las instrucciones del capitán fueron inaudibles debido a la tormenta.

Translation: The captain's instructions were inaudible due to the storm.

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the preposition 'para'. If you want to specify *who* cannot hear the sound, use 'para' + [person/group]. For example: 'Ese silbato es inaudible para los humanos' (That whistle is inaudible for humans). This structure is essential for scientific or descriptive writing. Additionally, in narrative Spanish, 'inaudible' often appears after the noun it modifies to add a descriptive layer: 'Un susurro inaudible cruzó la habitación' (An inaudible whisper crossed the room).

Habló en un tono tan bajo que resultó inaudible para el jurado.

Los latidos eran tan débiles que eran prácticamente inaudibles.

Finally, consider the contrast with 'audible'. In many exercises, you will be asked to transform a sentence from 'audible' to 'inaudible' by adding the prefix. This is a great way to practice the negative prefix 'in-'. Remember that before 'p' or 'b', 'in-' changes to 'im-' (like 'imposible'), but since 'inaudible' starts with a vowel, it remains 'in-'. This phonetic rule is a cornerstone of Spanish spelling and vocabulary building.

While 'inaudible' might seem like a formal word, it appears in a surprising variety of everyday situations in the Spanish-speaking world. From the courtroom to the living room, knowing where to expect this word will help you recognize it in real-time. In modern life, technology is perhaps the most common domain where inaudible is used. If you are watching a video with subtitles (subtítulos) and a character mumbles, you might see the tag [inaudible] appear on the screen, just as you would in English.

News and Journalism: Reporters often use it when describing chaotic scenes. 'Las declaraciones del ministro fueron inaudibles por los gritos de los manifestantes' (The minister's statements were inaudible because of the protesters' shouts).
Legal and Judicial Settings: In transcripts (actas), if a witness speaks too softly or a recording is poor, the clerk will mark the text as 'inaudible'. This is a standard legal term in Spain and Latin America.
Science and Nature Documentaries: When discussing bats (murciélagos) or whales (ballenas), narrators will describe their echolocation or songs as 'inaudibles' to the human ear.

En el video de seguridad, la conversación entre los sospechosos es inaudible.

Translation: In the security video, the conversation between the suspects is inaudible.

In a classroom setting, a teacher might tell a student, 'Tu respuesta fue inaudible, ¿puedes repetirla?' (Your answer was inaudible, can you repeat it?). It serves as a more precise and slightly more formal alternative to 'No te oí' or 'Habla más alto'. In literature, especially in the works of magical realism or suspense, 'inaudible' is used to create atmosphere. A ghost’s footsteps might be 'casi inaudibles', or a secret might be whispered in an 'inaudible' breath, adding to the tension of the scene.

El silbato para perros emite un sonido inaudible para nosotros.

Durante la videoconferencia, mi micrófono falló y mi voz quedó inaudible.

You will also encounter this word in health contexts. Audiologists use 'inaudible' to define the limits of a patient's hearing range during a 'prueba de audición' (hearing test). If a frequency is inaudible to you, it helps the doctor diagnose hearing loss. Thus, while it might appear to be a 'big word', its utility spans across medicine, tech, law, and daily conversation, making it a versatile tool for any Spanish learner.

Learning inaudible is usually straightforward for English speakers because it is a cognate. However, there are several pitfalls that can lead to 'Spanglish' errors or grammatical slips. The most common mistake is confusing 'inaudible' with other 'in-' adjectives like 'invisible' or 'insensible'. While they share the same prefix, their sensory domains are strictly different. You cannot 'see' an inaudible sound, but you also cannot 'hear' an invisible light.

Gender Confusion: Even though 'inaudible' is gender-neutral, some learners mistakenly try to say 'inaudibla' when referring to a feminine noun like 'la voz'. Remember: adjectives ending in '-e' do not change for gender. 'El grito inaudible' and 'la voz inaudible' are both correct.
Misusing 'Inaudible' for 'Silence': Learners often say 'La habitación era inaudible' when they mean 'La habitación estaba en silencio'. 'Inaudible' describes a *sound*, not a place or a state of being. You describe the *noise* as inaudible, not the room itself.
Pluralization Errors: In English, 'inaudible' doesn't change for plural nouns. In Spanish, it *must*. Failing to say 'sonidos inaudibles' (plural) is a common error for beginners.

Incorrect: La música era inaudibla.
Correct: La música era inaudible.

Another subtle mistake involves the use of 'ser' and 'estar'. While 'ser' is used for inherent qualities (like the frequency of a sound), 'estar' is rarely used with 'inaudible'. Instead, Spanish speakers prefer 'resultar', 'ser', or 'hacerse'. Saying 'La voz está inaudible' sounds slightly unnatural to a native ear compared to 'La voz es inaudible' or 'No se oye la voz'.

Incorrect: Los ruidos eran inaudible.
Correct: Los ruidos eran inaudibles.

Incorrect: El secreto era invisible.
Correct: El secreto era inaudible (if referring to sound).

Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation. In English, the 'au' is often pronounced like 'aw' (in-AW-dible). In Spanish, it is a clear diphthong: 'au' like the 'ou' in 'house' (ee-now-DEE-bleh). Mispronouncing this can lead to confusion, especially in fast-paced conversation where the listener relies on clear vowel sounds to distinguish words.

While inaudible is a precise term, Spanish offers a variety of synonyms and related words that can add color and specificity to your speech. Depending on whether you want to sound technical, poetic, or informal, you might choose a different word to describe a sound that is hard to hear. Understanding these nuances is the difference between a basic learner and an advanced speaker.

Imperceptible: This is a broader term. While 'inaudible' is only for sound, 'imperceptible' can apply to sight, touch, or smell. It suggests something so small or faint that it can barely be detected by any sense.
Bajo / Tenue: 'Bajo' (low) and 'tenue' (faint/weak) are used for sounds that *can* be heard but are very quiet. 'Habla bajo' means 'speak quietly'. 'Inaudible' is more absolute; it means you *cannot* hear it.
Silencioso: This describes the *source* of the sound or the environment. A 'motor silencioso' is a silent motor. It doesn't mean the motor is 'inaudible' (though it might be), but rather that it was designed not to make noise.

El cambio en su tono de voz fue casi imperceptible.

Comparison: Imperceptible focuses on the subtlety of the change, not just the volume.

When you want to express that something is impossible to hear because of external noise, you might use the phrase 'no se oye' (it isn't heard). This is the most common informal way to say something is inaudible. For example: 'No se oye nada con este ruido' (Nothing can be heard with this noise). In contrast, 'inaudible' is better suited for writing or formal explanations. Another alternative is 'imperceptible al oído', which is a more sophisticated way of saying 'inaudible'.

Su respuesta fue tan tenue que tuve que acercarme.

El bosque estaba silencioso, sin un solo pájaro cantando.

In academic or scientific contexts, you might see 'infrasónico' (infrasonic) or 'ultrasónico' (ultrasonic). These are technical types of 'inaudible' sounds. An infrasound is too low for us, while an ultrasound is too high. Using these specific terms instead of just 'inaudible' shows a high level of vocabulary mastery. Ultimately, choosing the right word depends on whether you are describing the volume, the frequency, the clarity, or the environmental silence.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'aud-' is the same in 'auditorio', 'audiencia', and 'audio'. It has remained remarkably stable for over 2,000 years across many languages.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɪnˈɔːdəbl/

US /ɪnˈɔdəbəl/

In Spanish, the stress is on the 'di': i-nau-DI-ble.

Rime avec

Audible Comestible Terrible Posible Increíble Visible Sensible Flexible

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'au' like 'aw' (it should be 'ow' as in 'house').
Stress on the first syllable.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'e' clearly.
Mixing it up with the English pronunciation in a Spanish sentence.
Swallowing the 'n' sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Easy to recognize because it's a cognate.

Écriture 2/5

Requires remembering plural agreement.

Expression orale 3/5

The 'au' diphthong and stress on 'di' can be tricky.

Écoute 2/5

Clear sound, but fast speech might blur it.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Oír Escuchar Sonido Voz Bajo

Apprends ensuite

Imperceptible Inteligible Acústica Eco Murmullo

Avancé

Infrasónico Ultrasónico Audibilidad Estruendo Atronador

Grammaire à connaître

Negative prefix 'in-'

Inaudible (not audible), Invisible (not visible).

Adjectives ending in '-e'

La voz inaudible / El ruido inaudible (no change for gender).

Pluralization of '-e' adjectives

Inaudible -> Inaudibles.

Adjective placement

Un sonido inaudible (usually after the noun).

Diphthong 'au'

I-nau-di-ble (two vowels in one syllable).

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Exemples par niveau

La música es inaudible.

The music is inaudible.

Adjectives like 'inaudible' come after the verb 'ser'.

Tu voz es inaudible.

Your voice is inaudible.

'Inaudible' is the same for masculine and feminine.

El sonido es inaudible.

The sound is inaudible.

'Sonido' is masculine, but the adjective doesn't change.

No oigo, es inaudible.

I don't hear, it is inaudible.

A1 learners often combine 'no oigo' with 'inaudible'.

Es un susurro inaudible.

It is an inaudible whisper.

Adjectives usually follow the noun in Spanish.

El video es inaudible.

The video is inaudible.

Used to describe media with no sound.

Son sonidos inaudibles.

They are inaudible sounds.

Add '-s' to make the adjective plural.

La radio es inaudible.

The radio is inaudible.

'Radio' can be feminine, but 'inaudible' stays the same.

El audio del video es casi inaudible.

The video audio is almost inaudible.

'Casi' (almost) is a common adverb used with this word.

Habló en un tono inaudible.

He spoke in an inaudible tone.

'Habló' is the past tense of 'hablar'.

Las palabras eran inaudibles por el viento.

The words were inaudible because of the wind.

'Por' is used here to show the cause.

Este silbato es inaudible para nosotros.

This whistle is inaudible for us.

'Para' indicates who cannot hear the sound.

Su respuesta fue inaudible en la clase.

His answer was inaudible in the class.

'Respuesta' is feminine; 'inaudible' remains unchanged.

La grabación resultó inaudible.

The recording turned out to be inaudible.

'Resultó' is a more advanced alternative to 'fue'.

Buscamos ruidos inaudibles en la casa.

We are looking for inaudible noises in the house.

Plural agreement: ruidos + inaudibles.

El mensaje fue inaudible debido al ruido.

The message was inaudible due to the noise.

'Debido al' is a formal way to say 'because of'.

La señal de radio se volvió inaudible al cruzar el túnel.

The radio signal became inaudible when crossing the tunnel.

'Se volvió' indicates a change of state.

Sus últimas palabras fueron prácticamente inaudibles.

His last words were practically inaudible.

'Prácticamente' adds a level of precision.

El zumbido es inaudible para la mayoría de los adultos.

The hum is inaudible for most adults.

'Mayoría' takes a singular verb but refers to a group.

La conferencia fue inaudible desde el fondo del salón.

The lecture was inaudible from the back of the room.

'Desde' indicates the point of perception.

El llanto del bebé era casi inaudible a través de la pared.

The baby's cry was almost inaudible through the wall.

'A través de' means 'through'.

Hubo un murmullo inaudible entre la multitud.

There was an inaudible murmur among the crowd.

'Hubo' is the past of 'hay' (there is/are).

El audio de la entrevista es inaudible en algunas partes.

The interview audio is inaudible in some parts.

'Algunas partes' is the plural feminine location.

Asegúrate de que tu voz no sea inaudible para el público.

Make sure your voice is not inaudible to the audience.

Use of the subjunctive 'sea' after 'asegúrate de que'.

Ciertas frecuencias son inaudibles para el oído humano pero perceptibles para los perros.

Certain frequencies are inaudible to the human ear but perceptible to dogs.

Contrast between 'inaudible' and 'perceptible'.

El testigo declaró en un susurro casi inaudible durante el juicio.

The witness testified in an almost inaudible whisper during the trial.

Formal vocabulary like 'declaró' and 'juicio'.

La interferencia hizo que la comunicación fuera inaudible.

The interference made the communication inaudible.

'Hizo que' triggers the imperfect subjunctive 'fuera'.

A pesar de sus esfuerzos, su voz resultó inaudible por el estruendo.

Despite his efforts, his voice turned out inaudible because of the roar.

'A pesar de' is a common B2 connector.

El latido del corazón era tan débil que se tornó inaudible.

The heartbeat was so weak that it became inaudible.

'Se tornó' is a literary way to say 'became'.

La grabación forense contenía fragmentos inaudibles que debían ser analizados.

The forensic recording contained inaudible fragments that had to be analyzed.

'Debían ser' is a passive construction.

El eco en la catedral hacía que las oraciones fueran inaudibles.

The echo in the cathedral made the prayers inaudible.

Describing environmental effects on sound.

Muchas de las grabaciones antiguas son ahora inaudibles por el deterioro.

Many of the old recordings are now inaudible due to deterioration.

Using 'por' to denote the cause of a physical state.

La sutil ironía de su discurso fue inaudible para quienes no conocían el contexto.

The subtle irony of his speech was inaudible to those who didn't know the context.

Metaphorical use of 'inaudible' regarding social meaning.

El poema termina con un suspiro inaudible que evoca la pérdida.

The poem ends with an inaudible sigh that evokes loss.

Literary analysis usage.

Las ondas infrasónicas son inaudibles, pero pueden causar malestar físico.

Infrasonic waves are inaudible, but they can cause physical discomfort.

Technical scientific context.

Su protesta fue inaudible en medio del clamor popular por el cambio.

His protest was inaudible amidst the popular clamor for change.

Describing individual vs. group dynamics.

El dispositivo emite una señal inaudible para evitar el acceso no autorizado.

The device emits an inaudible signal to prevent unauthorized access.

Professional technological description.

La transición entre los dos movimientos musicales fue casi inaudible.

The transition between the two musical movements was almost inaudible.

Musical critique and precision.

Aquel murmullo inaudible parecía provenir de las paredes mismas de la casa.

That inaudible murmur seemed to come from the very walls of the house.

Gothic or suspenseful narrative style.

La falta de nitidez convirtió el diálogo en una masa inaudible de sonidos.

The lack of clarity turned the dialogue into an inaudible mass of sounds.

'Convirtió en' is a sophisticated way to describe transformation.

La ontología de lo inaudible desafía nuestra comprensión de la realidad sensorial.

The ontology of the inaudible challenges our understanding of sensory reality.

Abstract noun usage 'lo inaudible'.

El autor utiliza el silencio como una presencia inaudible que domina la narrativa.

The author uses silence as an inaudible presence that dominates the narrative.

High-level literary criticism.

En el vacío del espacio, cualquier explosión sería, por definición, inaudible.

In the vacuum of space, any explosion would be, by definition, inaudible.

Scientific hypothesis with conditional 'sería'.

La sutileza de los armónicos superiores resulta a menudo inaudible para el oído no entrenado.

The subtlety of the upper harmonics is often inaudible to the untrained ear.

Specialized musical terminology.

Existe un umbral donde el sonido se desvanece hasta volverse inaudible.

There exists a threshold where sound fades until becoming inaudible.

Describing limits and thresholds.

La diplomacia se mueve a menudo en esos rangos inaudibles de la comunicación no verbal.

Diplomacy often moves in those inaudible ranges of non-verbal communication.

Metaphorical application in political science.

El ruido blanco puede enmascarar conversaciones, volviéndolas inaudibles para terceros.

White noise can mask conversations, making them inaudible to third parties.

Gerund 'volviéndolas' used to show consequence.

La trascendencia se manifiesta a veces como una voz inaudible en el interior del alma.

Transcendence sometimes manifests as an inaudible voice inside the soul.

Spiritual/Philosophical register.

Synonymes

imperceptible tenue bajo silencioso apagado débil confuso mudo

Antonymes

audible estruendoso fuerte nítido

Collocations courantes

voz inaudible

sonido inaudible

casi inaudible

completamente inaudible

susurro inaudible

frecuencia inaudible

resultar inaudible

hacerse inaudible

inaudible para el oído

fragmento inaudible

Phrases Courantes

Hablar de forma inaudible

— To speak in a way that no one can hear you.

No hables de forma inaudible si quieres que te entiendan.

Ser inaudible para alguien

— To be impossible for a specific person to hear.

Este silbato es inaudible para mí.

Volverse inaudible

— To become impossible to hear over time.

La música se volvió inaudible al cerrar la puerta.

[inaudible]

— Used in subtitles to show a speaker cannot be heard.

En el guion dice: [inaudible].

Quedar inaudible

— To remain or become inaudible after an event.

La grabación quedó inaudible tras el accidente.

Rango inaudible

— A range of frequencies that cannot be heard.

Los murciélagos operan en un rango inaudible.

Prácticamente inaudible

— Almost completely impossible to hear.

Su respiración era prácticamente inaudible.

Tono inaudible

— A pitch or volume that is too low to hear.

Respondió en un tono inaudible.

Murmullo inaudible

— A very soft background noise.

Se oía un murmullo inaudible en el pasillo.

Frecuencias inaudibles

— Sounds at pitches humans can't detect.

Existen muchas frecuencias inaudibles en la naturaleza.

Souvent confondu avec

inaudible vs invisible

Invisible is for sight; inaudible is for sound.

inaudible vs inaudito

Inaudito means 'unheard of' or 'outrageous', not 'silent'.

inaudible vs insensible

Insensible means 'numb' or 'unfeeling', not 'impossible to hear'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Como un susurro inaudible"

— Something very subtle or secret.

Su influencia era como un susurro inaudible.

literary

"Paredes inaudibles"

— Metaphor for barriers that block communication.

Hay paredes inaudibles entre nosotros.

poetic

"Grito inaudible"

— Internal suffering that isn't expressed.

Su dolor era un grito inaudible.

literary

"Música inaudible de las esferas"

— Classical concept of celestial harmony.

Los antiguos creían en la música inaudible de las esferas.

academic

"Ver lo inaudible"

— To perceive things others miss.

Él tiene la capacidad de ver lo inaudible.

metaphorical

"Pasos inaudibles"

— Moving very stealthily.

Se acercó con pasos inaudibles.

narrative

"Verdad inaudible"

— A truth that nobody wants to hear or listen to.

A veces la verdad es inaudible para el corrupto.

philosophical

"Latido inaudible"

— Failing or very weak life force.

Sentía un latido inaudible en su pecho.

medical/literary

"Eco inaudible"

— A memory that is fading away.

Su nombre es solo un eco inaudible ahora.

poetic

"Silencio inaudible"

— An oxymoron used to describe an oppressive silence.

El silencio inaudible de la noche me asusta.

literary

Facile à confondre

inaudible vs Inaudito

Similar spelling and root.

Inaudito refers to an event being shocking or unprecedented. Inaudible refers to a sound being too quiet.

Es inaudito que llegues tarde vs. Su voz es inaudible.

inaudible vs Imperceptible

Both mean 'cannot be detected'.

Imperceptible is general (all senses). Inaudible is specific to hearing.

Un cambio imperceptible vs. Un ruido inaudible.

inaudible vs Silencioso

Both relate to lack of noise.

Silencioso describes the source. Inaudible describes the perception.

Un coche silencioso vs. Un motor inaudible.

inaudible vs Mudo

Both relate to lack of speech.

Mudo means unable to speak or intentionally silent. Inaudible means the speech exists but can't be heard.

Él es mudo vs. Su voz es inaudible.

inaudible vs Ilegible

Both mean 'cannot be understood/read'.

Ilegible is for writing. Inaudible is for sound.

Letra ilegible vs. Voz inaudible.

Structures de phrases

El [noun] es inaudible.

El audio es inaudible.

Su [noun] es casi inaudible.

Su voz es casi inaudible.

El [noun] resultó inaudible por [reason].

El mensaje resultó inaudible por el tráfico.

Son [noun] inaudibles para [person].

Son sonidos inaudibles para los niños.

A pesar de [action], su [noun] fue inaudible.

A pesar de gritar, su voz fue inaudible.

La [noun] se tornó inaudible ante [event].

La orquesta se tornó inaudible ante el aplauso.

Un [noun] inaudible recorrió [place].

Un murmullo inaudible recorrió la sala.

Lo inaudible de [noun] sugiere [idea].

Lo inaudible de su ruego sugiere desesperación.

Famille de mots

Noms

Audición

Oído

Audiencia

Verbes

Oír

Escuchar

Auditar

Adjectifs

Audible

Auditivo

Aural

Apparenté

Sonido

Silencio

Acústica

Frecuencia

Volumen

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in media, legal, and academic writing; moderate in daily speech.

Erreurs courantes

La voz inaudibla → La voz inaudible
Adjectives ending in 'e' are gender-neutral. Do not change the ending to 'a' for feminine nouns.
Los sonidos inaudible → Los sonidos inaudibles
Adjectives must agree in number with the noun they modify. Add 's' for plural.
Su comportamiento fue inaudible → Su comportamiento fue inaudito
Confusing 'inaudible' (cannot hear) with 'inaudito' (outrageous/unheard of).
El cuarto es inaudible → El cuarto está en silencio
'Inaudible' describes a sound, not a location or a lack of activity.
Pronouncing 'au' like 'aw' → Pronouncing 'au' like 'ow' (house)
Spanish vowels are consistent. 'Au' is a diphthong where you hear both 'a' and 'u'.

Astuces

Gender Neutrality

Remember that 'inaudible' is one of those great Spanish adjectives that doesn't change for gender. This saves you from making mistakes with 'o' or 'a' endings!

Cognate Power

Use your English knowledge! Since 'inaudible' is a cognate, you already know 90% of its meaning. Just focus on the Spanish pronunciation.

Stress the 'DI'

In Spanish, the stress is on the second-to-last syllable: i-nau-DI-ble. Don't stress the 'nau' or the 'in'.

No 'H' allowed

Even though 'hablar' has an 'h', 'inaudible' does not. It comes from 'audible', not 'hablar'.

Use it in Tech

If you're in a Zoom meeting and someone is too quiet, say 'Tu audio es casi inaudible'. It's more professional than saying 'No te oigo'.

Literary Flair

In stories, use 'inaudible' to describe secrets, ghosts, or distant winds to create a more immersive atmosphere.

Subtitle Recognition

Watch Spanish movies with Spanish subtitles. When you see '[inaudible]', pay attention to why the character couldn't be heard (mumbling, noise, etc.).

Frequencies

When reading about science, 'inaudible' usually refers to ultrasound or infrasound. It's a key term in biology and physics.

Politeness

Using 'inaudible' is a polite way to ask someone to speak up without blaming their speaking ability directly.

Link to 'Audio'

Always link 'inaudible' to 'audio' and 'audífono' (hearing aid). This family of words will help you remember the meaning.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the prefix 'IN-' (Not) + 'AUDI' (like Audio/Sound) + 'BLE' (Able). Not-Audio-Able = Inaudible.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person wearing huge headphones but no music is playing, or a 'mute' icon on a screen.

Word Web

Silencio Oír Voz Ruido Frecuencia Señal Susurro Sordo

Défi

Try to find three things in your house right now that are 'inaudibles' (like a clock far away or a computer fan).

Origine du mot

From Latin 'inaudibilis', composed of 'in-' (negation) and 'audibilis' (audible).

Sens originel : That which cannot be heard.

Romance (Latin root)

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using it to describe people with hearing impairments; use 'persona con discapacidad auditiva' instead.

The word is a direct cognate, so English speakers use it in the same contexts.

Used in forensic reports of famous Spanish trials. Commonly found in the works of Jorge Luis Borges to describe subtle realities. A frequent term in Spanish-dubbed sci-fi movies like 'Interstellar'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Technology

Audio inaudible
Micrófono inaudible
Señal inaudible
Interferencia inaudible

Nature

Frecuencia inaudible
Sonidos inaudibles
Canto inaudible
Eco inaudible

Social

Voz inaudible
Susurro inaudible
Respuesta inaudible
Tono inaudible

Legal

Declaración inaudible
Grabación inaudible
Testimonio inaudible
Cinta inaudible

Literature

Pasos inaudibles
Latido inaudible
Viento inaudible
Secreto inaudible

Amorces de conversation

"¿Alguna vez has escuchado un sonido que era casi inaudible?"

"¿Crees que los animales pueden oír cosas inaudibles para nosotros?"

"¿Qué haces cuando el audio de una llamada es inaudible?"

"¿Es molesto cuando alguien habla en un tono inaudible?"

"¿Has visto alguna vez subtítulos que dicen '[inaudible]'?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe un momento en el que intentaste decir algo importante pero tu voz fue inaudible.

Escribe sobre los sonidos inaudibles de la naturaleza que te gustaría poder escuchar.

¿Cómo cambiaría el mundo si pudiéramos oír todas las frecuencias inaudibles?

Imagina una conversación inaudible entre dos estatuas en un parque.

Reflexiona sobre la importancia de ser escuchado en una sociedad ruidosa.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Es ambos. En español, los adjetivos que terminan en 'e' no cambian de género. Puedes decir 'el sonido inaudible' o 'la voz inaudible'.

Se dice 'inaudibles'. Solo tienes que añadir una 's' al final. Por ejemplo: 'Esos ruidos son inaudibles'.

'Inaudible' significa que no se puede oír. 'Inaudito' significa algo increíble, sorprendente o intolerable. No son intercambiables.

Generalmente no se usa para la persona, sino para su voz o sus palabras. En lugar de 'Él es inaudible', es mejor decir 'Su voz es inaudible'.

Es una palabra de registro medio-alto. Se usa mucho en las noticias, libros y contextos técnicos, pero también se entiende perfectamente en una conversación normal.

Los más comunes son 'ser' (inherente), 'resultar' (consecuencia) y 'hacerse' or 'volverse' (cambio).

No, se escribe sin 'h'. Aunque 'oír' tiene una raíz similar, 'inaudible' viene directamente del latín 'inaudibilis'.

Sí, muchos animales perciben frecuencias ultrasónicas que son inaudibles para los seres humanos.

Se pronuncia como una sola sílaba, similar al sonido 'ow' en inglés (como en 'town').

Sí, es el estándar para indicar que el diálogo de un video no se puede entender o escuchar.

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