"Musitar" is a verb in Spanish that means to speak quietly, often in a way that is not easily heard. It can refer to softly whispering secrets or speaking in a low tone. In written form, it is used often in literature to convey a sense of intimacy or secrecy, while in spoken language, it may be used in conversations where discretion is required.
Frequency of use is moderate, as "musitar" is more common in formal or literary contexts compared to informal speech. In everyday conversation, people might prefer simpler terms like "susurrar" (to whisper).
Ella decidió musitar su secreto al oído de su amiga.
(She decided to whisper her secret into her friend's ear.)
En la biblioteca, era necesario musitar para no molestar a los demás.
(In the library, it was necessary to speak quietly so as not to disturb others.)
Los enamorados suelen musitar palabras tiernas el uno al otro.
(Lovers often whisper tender words to each other.)
"Musitar" can appear in idiomatic expressions, particularly those that involve secrecy or quietness. Here are some examples:
No me gusta musitar entre dientes, prefiero expresarme claramente.
(I don’t like to mumble under my breath; I prefer to express myself clearly.)
Musitar con el corazón
(To speak from the heart in whispers)
Ella musitaba con el corazón sus pensamientos más profundos.
(She whispered from the heart her deepest thoughts.)
Musitar a medias
(To whisper half-heartedly)
Al final, decidió musitar a medias lo que realmente sentía.
(In the end, she decided to whisper half-heartedly what she really felt.)
Musitar a solas
(To whisper alone)
The word "musitar" traces its roots to the Latin term mūsitāre, which means "to hum" or "to murmur." Over time, it evolved in the Spanish language to take on its current form and meaning, retaining the essence of soft, low-toned speech.