to counter
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to counter
To respond quickly and wittily to a statement, accusation, or attack.
Auf die provokante Frage des Journalisten konterte der Politiker mit einer Gegenfrage.
The politician countered the journalist's provocative question with a question of his own.
to counterattack
In sports, to fend off an opponent's attack and immediately move into a counterattack.
Nach dem Ballverlust im Mittelfeld konnte die Heimmannschaft schnell kontern und ein Tor erzielen.
After losing the ball in midfield, the home team was able to counterattack quickly and score a goal.
to mirror
In printing technology or image editing, to display an image, graphic, or text as a mirror image.
Für den T-Shirt-Druck muss das Motiv auf der Transferfolie gekontert werden, damit es später richtig herum erscheint.
For T-shirt printing, the design has to be mirrored on the transfer film so that it appears the right way around later.
The verb 'kontern' (to counter) is related to the noun 'der Konter' (counterattack). Both words contain the idea of acting 'against' or 'in response,' which comes from the Latin 'contra'.
Die Mannschaft setzte nach dem Gegentor sofort zum Konter an.
After conceding the goal, the team immediately launched a counterattack.
You can recognize the meaning of 'kontern' (to counter) from the context. If it is about a discussion, it means 'to respond'. In a sports context, it refers to a 'counterattack'. In connection with graphics or printing, it means 'to mirror'.
Der Angeklagte konterte auf die Frage des Richters.
The defendant countered the judge's question.
When responding to a statement, you say 'auf etwas (Akkusativ) kontern' (to counter something). When naming the means of the response, you use 'mit etwas (Dativ) kontern' (to counter with something).
Sie konterte auf den Vorwurf mit einem Lächeln.
She countered the accusation with a smile.
In the meaning 'spiegelverkehrt darstellen' (to display as a mirror image), 'kontern' (to mirror) is technical language from the fields of printing technology and graphic design.
Der Grafiker erklärte mir, warum man die Schrift für den Siebdruck kontern muss.
The graphic designer explained to me why you have to mirror the text for screen printing.
to answer / respond
You can antworten or kontern in response to an accusation. Antworten refers to any suitable reaction, while kontern highlights a quick and witty counterresponse. For a normal explanation, antworten is appropriate; for a pointed counterposition, kontern is more precise.
Auf den Vorwurf konterte Lea sofort: „Du warst selbst nicht da.“
Lea immediately countered the accusation: “You weren’t there yourself.”
Auf den Vorwurf antwortete Lea ruhig, dass sie den Termin vergessen hatte.
Lea answered the accusation calmly, saying that she had forgotten the appointment.
