to comment
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to comment
To express your opinion about something or make a remark about something, for example in a discussion, online, or in the media.
Er wollte die Gerüchte über seinen Rücktritt nicht kommentieren.
He did not want to comment on the rumors about his resignation.
to annotate
To provide a text, especially a scholarly or literary one, with explanatory notes and explanations.
Der Professor hat die historisch-kritische Ausgabe der Schriften Goethes kommentiert.
The professor annotated the historical-critical edition of Goethe's writings.
to commentate
To describe and analyze a sports event, broadcast, or event live, usually for radio or television.
Béla Réthy kommentiert seit vielen Jahren die Spiele der deutschen Nationalmannschaft.
Béla Réthy has been commentating on the German national team's matches for many years.
Verbs that end in '-ieren' are almost always regular in German. The important thing is that their past participle is formed without 'ge-'. So it is 'hat kommentiert' (has commented) and not 'hat gekommentiert'.
Er hat den Beitrag sofort kommentiert.
He commented on the post immediately.
'Kommentieren' is usually used directly with an accusative object. So you do not need a preposition to say what you are commenting on.
Die Chefin kommentierte die neuen Zahlen des Unternehmens.
The boss commented on the company's new figures.
In everyday digital life, 'kommentieren' is very frequently used for interactions on social media. Typical combinations are 'einen Post kommentieren' (to comment on a post), 'ein Foto kommentieren' (to comment on a photo), or 'einen Artikel kommentieren' (to comment on an article).
Warum hast du mein neues Profilbild noch nicht kommentiert?
Why haven't you commented on my new profile picture yet?
When it is about sports, a live show, or a public event, 'kommentieren' means the professional description and analysis for an audience. The context makes this special meaning clear.
Ein berühmter Ex-Spieler wird das Finale im Fernsehen kommentieren.
A famous former player will commentate on the final on TV.
In an academic or literary context, 'kommentieren' has a special meaning: to provide a text with scholarly explanations and notes. This use is limited to specialized language.
Für ihre Doktorarbeit kommentiert sie die Gedichte einer unbekannten Autorin.
For her doctoral dissertation, she is annotating the poems of an unknown author.
to express
Both verbs work when someone responds to a topic and shares their opinion. Someone who sich äußert can simply state their position; someone who kommentiert is more likely to make a remark or evaluate an occasion. Use „sich äußern“ for a clear statement of one's position and „kommentieren“ also for a brief reaction.
Die Sprecherin kommentierte die geplante Änderung nur mit einem kurzen Satz.
The spokesperson commented on the planned change with just one brief sentence.
Die Sprecherin äußerte sich klar zur geplanten Änderung.
The spokesperson clearly stated her position on the planned change.
