counter-question
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counter-question
A question asked in response to a previously asked question, often in order to question it, avoid it, or make the original questioner think.
Auf die Frage, warum er zu spät sei, antwortete er nur mit der Gegenfrage: „Haben Sie nichts Besseres zu tun?“
When asked why he was late, he answered only with the counter-question: “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
The word is made up of the preposition 'gegen' (against/counter) and the noun 'die Frage' (the question). A 'Gegenfrage' (counter-question) is therefore a question that one “sets against” another question.
Anstatt zu antworten, stellte er eine schlaue Gegenfrage.
Instead of answering, he asked a clever counter-question.
The most common and natural combination with this noun is the verb 'stellen' (to ask/pose). You almost always say 'eine Gegenfrage stellen' (to ask a counter-question).
Darf ich Ihnen dazu eine Gegenfrage stellen?
May I ask you a counter-question about that?
A 'Gegenfrage' (counter-question) is often not asked only to obtain information. It can also be used to avoid answering, to criticize the original questioner, or to gain time to think.
Seine Antwort war nur eine Gegenfrage, um vom eigentlichen Thema abzulenken.
His answer was only a counter-question to distract from the actual topic.
follow-up question
Rückfrage and Gegenfrage both refer to a question asked in response. A Rückfrage is intended to obtain missing information or clarify something. A Gegenfrage redirects the original question, challenges it, or evades it.
Auf meine Frage nach dem Termin kam die Gegenfrage, warum ich das wissen wollte.
In response to my question about the date, they asked why I wanted to know.
Auf meine Frage nach dem Termin kam die Rückfrage, welchen Monat ich meinte.
In response to my question about the date, they asked which month I meant.
