das Zureden
reassurance
Definition & meaning
Zureden means to try to persuade, encourage, or reassure someone by talking to them. It often suggests persistent or gentle verbal encouragement rather than force.
Depending on context, it can mean:
- to urge or persuade someone to do something
- to encourage or reassure someone who is hesitant or upset
Grammar & Word origin
Zureden is a separable-prefix verb, formed from zu- (“to” or “toward”) and reden (“to speak”). Its forms include redet zu , redete zu , and hat zugeredet .
It is commonly used with a person in the dative case: jemandem zureden . The related noun is das Zureden , meaning verbal persuasion or encouragement.
Synonyms & antonyms
- überreden — to persuade or talk someone into something; often more focused on changing someone’s decision than zureden.
- ermutigen — to encourage; emphasizes giving someone confidence or courage.
- gut zureden — to speak encouragingly or reassuringly; a particularly supportive use of zureden.
- abraten — to advise someone against doing something; a practical opposite.
- ausreden — to dissuade someone from an idea or action; the closest opposite when zureden means urging someone to proceed.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Gutes Zureden hat das Kind beruhigt.noun
Gentle reassurance calmed the child down.
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