babbling
word · lemma: babble
/ˈbæbəɫɪŋ/
BA-bling
/bˈæblɪŋ/
BA-bling
Definition
Speaking quickly in a way that's hard to understand, often without real meaning, or the gentle, continuous sound made by flowing water or a baby making early sounds.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for babies' speech, people talking rapidly and unclearly, or pleasantly for the sound of running water. 'Babbling brook' is a common phrase. Less formal; not used for serious, clear conversation.
Spanish: balbuceo - parloteo - murmullo (agua)Portuguese (BR): balbuciando - tagarelando - murmúrio (água)Portuguese (PT): balbuciando - tagarelando - murmúrio (água)Chinese (Simplified): 咿呀学语 - 喋喋不休 - 潺潺（流水声）Chinese (Traditional): 咿呀學語 - 喋喋不休 - 潺潺（水流聲）Hindi: बड़बड़ाना - मग्न स्वर (पानी की आवाज़)Arabic: ثرثرة - هدير (ماء يتدفق)Bengali: অস্পষ্ট কথা বলা - জলের মৃদু কলকল শব্দRussian: лепет - бормотание - журчаниеJapanese: 意味のないおしゃべり - せせらぎ（流水音） - 乳児のおしゃべりVietnamese: bi bô - nói líu lo - tiếng róc rách (dòng nước)Korean: 옹알이 - 중얼거림 - 졸졸거림Turkish: gevezelik - mırıldanma - şırıldamaUrdu: بڑبڑانا - بچوں کی بے معنی آوازIndonesian: bi bô - nói líu lo - róc rách (nước chảy)
Example Sentences
I could hear the babbling of the brook near our campsite.
basic
She started babbling when she got nervous.
basic
He was just babbling about his weekend plans—I couldn’t follow.
natural
The river’s babbling made it easy to relax by the shore.
natural
She kept babbling on the phone even after I said goodbye.
natural
The baby was babbling happily in her crib.
basic