kontern
counter
Auf etwas schnell antworten oder handeln, oft so, dass man die andere Person oder Seite direkt erwidert.
The German word "kontern" is a verb that means "to counter" or "to reply" (often in a confrontational or defensive manner). It is derived from the noun "Konter", which refers to a counteraction or a rebuttal.
In conversation or debate, "kontern" is used to describe providing a quick, often witty, response to an argument or statement made by someone else.
Similar words in German include:
- entgegnen (to respond, to counter)
- antworten (to answer)
- widerlegen (to refute)
The main difference between "kontern" and these similar words lies in the context: while "kontern" often involves a sharper or more confrontational response, "antworten" is a more neutral term for simply answering a question.
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Examples
Er kontert geschickt mit einem weiteren Argument.verb
He skillfully counters with another argument.
Markus kann schnell kontern, wenn jemand eine schwierige Frage stellt.verb
Markus can quickly counter when someone asks a difficult question.
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