sprechen vs reden
German word comparison
Listen to sprechen
Listen to reden
| sprechen | reden |
|---|---|
SPRE-chen verb | [ˈʁeːdən] verb |
| to speak; to talk (to express words aloud or use a language) | to talk; to speak (informal act of talking or giving a talk) |
How they differ
Reden emphasizes the act of talking or speaking at length and is more colloquial; unlike sprechen, reden is not used to express language ability (you say Ich spreche Deutsch, not Ich rede Deutsch).
When to use each
When to use sprechen: Prefer sprechen when you need a neutral verb for speaking, to express language ability, or in more formal contexts.
When to use reden: Prefer reden when you mean informal talk or conversation, or when focusing on someone talking rather than language competence.
Side-by-side examples
- Kann ich kurz mit dir sprechen?
(Can I speak with you for a moment?) - Kann ich kurz mit dir reden?
(Can I talk with you for a moment?)
Register & nuance: Reden is slightly more colloquial and common in everyday speech, while sprechen is neutral and suits both formal and informal contexts.