Not loud

Regis   Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:57 pm GMT
What is the opposite word of loud in english ?
Lazar   Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:07 pm GMT
The opposite of "loud" is "soft".

Note that some words do double duty in opposite pairs:

- the oppsite of "loud" is "soft"
- the opposite of "hard" (firm, unyielding) is "soft"
- the opposite of "hard" (difficult) is "easy"

- the opposite of "right" (direction) is "left"
- the opposite of "right" (justified, correct) is "wrong"

- the opposite of "tall" is "short"
- the opposite of "long" is "short"
Regis   Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:36 pm GMT
Ok so I can say "You are speaking too soft" for "You are not speaking loud enough" ?
Lazar   Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:46 pm GMT
Yes, but I think "You are speaking too *softly*" would be more common.
Regis   Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:55 pm GMT
Ok thanks a lot Lazar
Lazar   Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:24 pm GMT
No problem. :)
Skippy   Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:19 am GMT
quiet?
Estel   Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:37 pm GMT
quiet would work too, I think.

But for the sentence "you're speaking too softly", I dont think Id say that. Id say "Dude, speak louder, I cant f**ing hear ya" if I were talking w/ my friends. (That was a joke)

"Could you speak up?" or something like that would do. I think. I wouldn't down right tell them they're speaking too softly/quietly.