B2 verb Neutre

bongo

/ˈbɒŋ.ɡoʊ/

To play the bongo drums or to strike a surface rhythmically and repeatedly with the fingers or palms. In academic or technical contexts, it often refers to the specific percussive action used in ethnomusicology or the observation of rhythmic motor patterns in behavioral studies.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

He would bongo on the kitchen table whenever he got excited about a new idea.

He would tap a rhythmic beat on the table whenever he felt enthusiastic about a new concept.

2

The percussionist was instructed to bongo softly during the lecture to demonstrate the subtle shifts in Afro-Cuban meter.

The drummer was asked to play the bongos quietly during the talk to show changes in rhythm.

3

Stop bongo-ing on your desk; the constant tapping is making it hard for me to concentrate!

Please stop drumming your fingers on the desk because the noise is distracting me.

Famille de mots

Nom
bongo
Verb
bongo
Adjectif
bongo-like
Apparenté
bongoist
💡

Astuce mémo

Think of the 'B' in 'Bongo' and 'Beat'—you use your hands to 'Bongo' out a 'Beat'.

Quiz rapide

The student began to ___ rhythmically on his notebook while waiting for the professor to arrive.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : a

Exemples

1

He would bongo on the kitchen table whenever he got excited about a new idea.

everyday

He would tap a rhythmic beat on the table whenever he felt enthusiastic about a new concept.

2

The percussionist was instructed to bongo softly during the lecture to demonstrate the subtle shifts in Afro-Cuban meter.

formal

The drummer was asked to play the bongos quietly during the talk to show changes in rhythm.

3

Stop bongo-ing on your desk; the constant tapping is making it hard for me to concentrate!

informal

Please stop drumming your fingers on the desk because the noise is distracting me.

4

The study analyzed how infants bongo on various textures to explore acoustic properties and tactile feedback.

academic

The research examined how babies drum on different materials to learn about sound and touch.

5

During the high-stakes meeting, the CEO started to bongo rhythmically on her folder while she considered the proposal.

business

While thinking about the plan during the important meeting, the executive tapped her folder in a steady rhythm.

Famille de mots

Nom
bongo
Verb
bongo
Adjectif
bongo-like
Apparenté
bongoist

Collocations courantes

bongo rhythmically to play or tap with a steady, consistent tempo
bongo incessantly to drum or tap without stopping for a long time
bongo on a surface to strike an object or piece of furniture with the hands
bongo along to to match the rhythm of a song or piece of music by tapping
bongo with fingertips to use the tips of the fingers for a lighter, faster tapping sound

Phrases Courantes

bongo out a beat

to produce a specific rhythmic pattern by drumming

bongo away

to continue drumming or tapping for an extended period

bongo it up

to increase the energy or frequency of the drumming

Souvent confondu avec

bongo vs bungle

Bungle means to perform a task clumsily or unsuccessfully, whereas bongo refers to rhythmic drumming.

bongo vs bingo

Bingo is a game of chance or an exclamation of success, unrelated to rhythmic action.

📝

Notes d'usage

The verb 'bongo' is most frequently used in descriptive writing to characterize a specific type of rhythmic hand-tapping. In academic musicology, it is a technical term for playing the instrument, while in general usage, it often implies an informal or absentminded drumming action.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners often use 'play bongo' as a phrase; while correct, using 'bongo' as a verb is more concise when describing the action itself. Note that 'bongos' is the noun for the instrument, but the verb remains 'bongo' in the infinitive.

💡

Astuce mémo

Think of the 'B' in 'Bongo' and 'Beat'—you use your hands to 'Bongo' out a 'Beat'.

📖

Origine du mot

Derived from the Spanish 'bongó', which has its roots in African (Bantu) languages, specifically referring to the small, twin hand-drums.

Modèles grammaticaux

Intransitive verb, often followed by the preposition 'on'. Regular conjugation: bongoes (3rd person), bongoed (past tense), bongo-ing (present participle).
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Contexte culturel

The action of bongo-ing is central to Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz traditions, where the bongo player provides a syncopated lead rhythm.

Quiz rapide

The student began to ___ rhythmically on his notebook while waiting for the professor to arrive.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : a

Mots lis

buckram

B2

To stiffen a fabric using a coarse cloth called buckram, or metaphorically, to provide a rigid, formal, or artificial structure to something. It describes the process of making an object or an idea appear more solid and less flexible than it naturally is.

buckskin

B2

Describes items made from the soft, yellowish-tan leather of a male deer or sheep, or refers to the specific pale yellowish-brown color of this leather. It is frequently used in the context of historical clothing, outdoor gear, and horse coat colors.

buckteeth

B2

Upper front teeth that protrude significantly outward over the lower lip, often due to jaw alignment or dental conditions. This physical trait is commonly associated with specific facial structures and is frequently addressed through orthodontic treatment.

buddha

B2

Used as a modifier to describe something that possesses qualities of enlightenment, supreme peace, or detached wisdom. It often refers to a state of being calm and unbothered by external chaos or emotional distress.

buddhism

B2

Buddhism is a major world religion and philosophical system founded in India over 2,500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. It focuses on personal spiritual development, the attainment of deep insight into the true nature of life, and the elimination of suffering through the path to enlightenment.

buddhist

B2

A Buddhist is a person who follows the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. The term also functions as an adjective to describe things, practices, or art related to the religion and philosophy of Buddhism.

buddy

B2

To pair or partner someone with another person, typically to provide support, guidance, or safety in a professional or educational environment. As a verb, it often implies a formal or semi-formal arrangement where a more experienced person assists a newcomer.

budge

B2

To move slightly or to change a decision, opinion, or position. It is most frequently used in negative constructions to indicate that someone is being stubborn or that an object is physically stuck.

budgerigar

B2

A small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot that is native to Australia and often kept as a pet. It is typically green and yellow with black markings in the wild, though domestic varieties come in many colors.

budgetary

B2

Relating to or concerned with a plan for spending money or a budget. It is frequently used to describe financial limits, allocations, or the process of managing available funds within an organization or government.

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