German word

widersprechen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌviːdɐˈʃpʁɛçn̩/

Meaning

  • verbdisagree

Example

Ich widerspreche dir.

I disagree with you.

Illustration for widersprechen (disagree)

More examples

Viele Kolleginnen widersprechen seiner Einschätzung.

Many female colleagues disagree with his assessment.

Core concept

Words push back against a person, claim, rule, or fact, either as spoken opposition or as a clear conflict.

Common phrases

  • jemandem widersprechen

    disagree with someone

  • sich widersprechen

    contradict oneself

Similar words

einwenden: Present a reasoned objection to what someone has said.
entgegnen: Answer a statement with a brief counterargument or clarification.
bestreiten: Declare that a statement, claim, or alleged fact is false.
ablehnen: Make clear that a proposal or offer is not acceptable.

Definition in German

jemandem (Dativ) widersprechen = einer Person sagen, dass man nicht zustimmt; auch: etwas widerspricht etwas (Dativ) = im Widerspruch zu etwas stehen

Word origin

The verb combines Germanic wider, meaning 'against', with sprechen, meaning 'speak', and developed from the idea of speaking against something.

Usage tips

  • A person takes the dative in jemandem widersprechen, while a claim, rule, or fact can be the dative object in etwas widerspricht etwas.

Other meanings

  • contradictverb
  • objectverb
  • conflict withverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word