to counter
Loading your saved state.
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.
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 react
'reagieren' and 'kontern' both describe responding to something or saying something in response. 'reagieren' is neutral and general: you can react calmly, kindly, with surprise, or even not react right away at all. 'kontern' is more specific. It means responding quickly and wittily to an accusation, an attack, or a pointed remark. Learners may confuse the words because both describe a response to something. In practical terms: every counter-response is a reaction, but not every reaction is a counter.
Als der Kunde unfreundlich wurde, konterte der Verkäufer ruhig und sachlich.
When the customer became rude, the salesperson countered calmly and objectively.
Auf die schlechte Nachricht hat Maria zuerst gar nicht reagiert.
At first, Maria did not react at all to the bad news.