Modulation

modulation

noun mo-du-la-TSYOHN Rare

Origin: from Latin modulatio

Also means

the harmonic shift from one key to another within a piece

Usage Note

Modulation is a key structural tool in tonal music. Composers modulate to the Dominante (dominant) or Relative (relative major/minor) for contrast. Unexpected Modulationen create surprise and drama.

Examples

"Die plötzliche Modulation in die Molltonart traf das Publikum unerwartet."

Natural Translation

The sudden modulation into the minor key hit the audience unexpectedly.

Literal Translation

The sudden modulation into the minor-key hit the audience unexpectedly.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

German Two-Way Prepositions: Accusative or Dative?

Use accusative for movement into a place (wohin?) and dative for a fixed location (wo?). Master all nine German two-way prepositions with one simple test.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Body Parts: Vocabulary + How to Say It Hurts

Learn German body parts with der/die/das and plurals, plus the two ways to say something hurts: Mir tut der Kopf weh and Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

Order Food in German: Restaurant Phrases

Order food in German with confidence: use ich hätte gern, read the Speisekarte, ask die Rechnung bitte, and handle zusammen oder getrennt like a local.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Days, Months & Seasons (am, im & -tag)

Days of the week in German use am, months and seasons use im — plus the -tag pattern, capitalized nouns, and how to build a real sentence with a day.

June 5, 2026 4 min read