das Kontra
counterargument / objection
A rebuttal, objection, or negative response to a statement or proposal.
EXAMPLE
Auf seinen Vorschlag bekam er sofort ein deutliches Kontra.
He immediately received a clear objection to his proposal.
das Kontra
counterargument / objection / contra
das Kontra, die Kontras
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Meanings
Kontra geben
to contradict / talk back to
To contradict someone or reject what they have said with a counterargument.
EXAMPLE
Als sie ihn kritisierte, gab er ihr sofort Kontra.
When she criticized him, he immediately talked back to her.
das Kontra
contra
A call in certain card games by which a player declares that the opposing side will lose the game they have announced; this usually doubles the value of the game.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Ausspielen sagte er Kontra und verdoppelte damit den Einsatz.
Before the first card was played, he said 'contra', thereby doubling the stakes.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kontra, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kontras |
| genitive | des Kontras |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Kontra | die Kontras |
| accusative | das Kontra | die Kontras |
| dative | dem Kontra | den Kontras |
| genitive | des Kontras | der Kontras |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Dative construction
In the fixed expression 'jemandem Kontra geben' (to talk back to someone), the person is in the dative. 'Kontra' is usually used without an article.
EXAMPLE
Die Schülerin gab dem Lehrer Kontra.
The student talked back to the teacher.
Typical collocations
Expressions such as 'ein deutliches Kontra' (a clear objection), 'ein scharfes Kontra' (a sharp objection), or 'ein klares Kontra bekommen' (to meet with a clear objection) are commonly used for a negative response.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner Forderung nach einer längeren Pause stieß der Trainer bei der Mannschaft auf ein klares Kontra.
With his demand for a longer break, the coach met with a clear objection from the team.
Card game context
The card game meaning is often clear from words such as 'Einsatz' (stakes), 'Karten' (cards), or 'Spiel' (game). In this context, 'Kontra' refers to a call that can increase the stakes.
EXAMPLE
Beim Kartenspiel sagte sie Kontra, nachdem sie ihre Karten gesehen hatte.
During the card game, she said 'Kontra' after looking at her cards.
In real life
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