Sonner vs. retentir
In French, the verbs 'sonner' and 'retentir' both refer to the concept of ringing or making a sound, commonly associated with telephones, doorbells, alarms, and more. Despite their similar uses, these verbs have nuanced differences in usage and context.
Sonner
'Sonner' primarily means to produce a sound or to ring. It is often used to describe the action of bells, telephones, alarms, and other devices designed to emit sound as a signal or indication.
Le téléphone sonne.
(The phone is ringing.)
Il est temps de sonner la cloche.
(It's time to ring the bell.)
Mon réveil sonne à 7 heures tous les matins.
(My alarm rings at 7 o'clock every morning.)
Retentir
'Retentir' implies that a sound echoes, resonates, or is heard loudly and clearly over a distance. It is less about the act of producing the sound itself and more about the impact or effect of the sound as it spreads or is perceived.
La sirène du port a retenti toute la nuit.
(The harbor siren sounded all night long.)
Après l'explosion, le silence fut interrompu par des cris qui retentissaient de loin.
(After the explosion, the silence was broken by distant echoing screams.)
Lorsqu'il a gagné, des applaudissements ont retenti dans toute la salle.
(When he won, applause echoed throughout the room.)
Summary
'Sonner' and 'retentir' are both used in French to describe the concept of ringing or making a sound but differ subtly in their focus. 'Sonner' is more about the action of producing a sound with an object like bells or alarms. In contrast, 'retentir' emphasizes the reverberation or impact of that sound as it travels or is experienced by someone.