German Conversation · Level 133
29 words
German word
Konter
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkɔntɐ/
Meaning
- masculine nouncomeback
Example
Auf seine Beleidigung hatte sie sofort einen Konter.
She immediately came back at him after his insult.
More examples
Auf seine Provokation reagierte sie nicht mit Wut, sondern mit einem ironischen Konter.
She responded to his provocation not with anger but with an ironic comeback.
Core concept
A quick move or remark catches an attack and sends an equally sharp response back.
Common phrases
einen schlagfertigen Konter
a quick-witted comeback
mit einem Konter antworten
answer with a comeback
einen spitzen Konter
a pointed comeback
Similar words
Replik: A brief remark offered at once in conversation.
Erwiderung: A response given to something said or asked.
Entgegnung: A countering response to a criticism or claim.
Definition in German
Schnelle, oft überraschende Gegenwehr in Wort oder Tat, besonders eine spontane verbale Erwiderung.
Word origin
German Konter was borrowed from English counter in the sporting sense, and English counter ultimately comes from French contre, meaning 'against'.
Usage tips
- Konter is masculine, and its plural is also Konter; the related verb is kontern.
Other meanings
- counterargumentnoun
- counterattacknoun
Opposites
- Zugeständnisconcessionnoun
- Schweigensilencenoun
Related words
- konterntalk backverb
- Konterangriffcounterattacknoun