antworten vs erwidern
German word comparison
Listen to antworten
Listen to erwidern
| antworten | erwidern |
|---|---|
an-TWOR-ten verb | /ɛʁˈviːdɐn/ verb |
| to reply; to answer (a question, message, etc.) | to reply (usually in speech), often implying a direct response or retort to what was just said |
How they differ
Erwidern typically implies a spoken, often immediate reply and can carry the nuance of countering or retorting; antworten is neutral and does not imply confrontation or immediacy.
When to use each
When to use antworten: Use antworten for neutral replies to questions, messages, or calls without implying a counter-argument.
When to use erwidern: Use erwidern when you want to emphasize a verbal, often immediate or argumentative reply in dialogue or reported speech.
Side-by-side examples
- Er antwortete kurz auf die Frage.
(He answered the question briefly.) - Er erwiderte, dass er unschuldig sei.
(He replied (or retorted) that he was innocent.)
Register & nuance: Erwidern is more formal/literary and common in written reports or narration of dialogue; it is less frequent in casual speech.