German Conversation · Level 167
29 words
German word
kontern
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkɔntɐn/
Meaning
- verbtalk back
Example
Ich kontere oft, wenn man mich provoziert.
I often talk back when someone provokes me.
More examples
Der Politiker konterte sofort mit Statistiken.
The politician immediately talked back with statistics.
Core concept
A speaker parries a remark with a short, pointed verbal counterstroke, like a counter in a bout.
Common phrases
kontern mit Fakten
talk back with facts
kontern mit Humor
talk back with humor
auf Vorwürfe kontern
talk back to accusations
Similar words
antworten: Providing a reply to a question or call.
erwidern: Responding to someone's remark with a reply of one's own.
entgegnen: Answering with a short rebuttal or retort.
widersprechen: Showing disagreement with someone's opinion or claim.
Definition in German
kontern — mit einer kurzen, oft spöttischen oder witzigen Gegenbemerkung auf eine Aussage reagieren.
Word origin
Kontern is formed from the German noun Konter, which is related to English counter and denotes an opposing move.
Usage tips
- When the answered remark is named, kontern commonly appears with auf and the accusative, as in auf eine Bemerkung kontern.