German Conversation · Level 125
45 words
German word
erwidern
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈviːdɐn/
Meaning
- verbtalk back
Example
Sie erwidert ihm sofort.
She immediately talks back to him.
More examples
Er erwidert mit einer Gegenfrage.
He answers back with a counter-question.
Core concept
Words sent back to meet a question, criticism, or remark, sometimes as a calm reply and sometimes as an opposing response.
Common phrases
mit einer Gegenfrage erwidern
answer back with a counter-question
auf die Anschuldigung erwidern
respond to the accusation
Similar words
antworten: Provide an answer or information in response to a question or call.
widersprechen: Openly dispute another person's view or assertion.
entgegnen: Give a short verbal reply to someone's remark.
kontern: Counter criticism or attack swiftly with a pointed response.
Definition in German
jemandem auf eine Frage, Kritik oder Bemerkung eine Erwiderung geben
Word origin
Erwidern descends from Middle High German erwidern and combines er- with wider, meaning 'back' or 'against', for a response directed back.
Usage tips
- The person receiving the response usually appears in the dative, as in "Sie erwidert ihm sofort", not with a direct-object form.