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.
answer
'die Antwort' and 'die Gegenfrage' are both connected to a question. The difference is important: an 'Antwort' normally gives information or reacts directly to the question. A 'Gegenfrage' is itself another question. You ask it in response to a previous question, for example to find out more, avoid answering, or make the other person think. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Gegenfrage' can take the place of an answer in a conversation. In terms of content, however, it is not a direct answer, but a new question.
Statt einer klaren Erklärung stellte der Politiker nur eine Gegenfrage.
Instead of giving a clear explanation, the politician only asked a counter-question.
Kennst du die Antwort auf diese Frage?
Do you know the answer to this question?