verb
to contradict, to object (to)
B1
Widersprechen means 'to contradict' or 'to object (to)'. It's a strong (irregular) verb, non-separable and non-reflexive. Auxiliary: haben; past participle widersprochen. Stem vowel change e→i in present (ich widerspreche, du widersprichst). Important: it takes a dative object (jemandem widersprechen). Example: Er widerspricht mir.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Viele Experten widersprachen dem Bericht, weil die zugrunde liegenden Daten unvollständig waren.
Many experts contradicted the report because the underlying data were incomplete.
Er widerspricht oft seinen Kollegen.
He often contradicts his colleagues.
Er hat mir widersprochen.
He contradicted me.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine two people arguing: one speaks and the other holds up a hand saying 'wider' (against) while speaking back.
Think 'wider' = against + 'speak' = speak against; sounds like 'wider-speak'.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Widersprechen usually takes a dative object (e.g., 'jemandem widersprechen'). It's inseparable (prefix 'wider-') and is an irregular (strong) verb with vowel changes in present and a distinct past stem. Passive voice is not applicable because the verb does not take a direct object and therefore cannot form a true actional passive.