to join in / have a say
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to join in
To take part in a conversation or discussion and express one's opinion or knowledge about a topic.
Über Politik kann ich nicht mitreden, weil ich mich damit zu wenig auskenne.
I can't join in when it comes to politics because I don't know enough about it.
'Mitreden' (to join in / have a say) is a separable verb. The prefix 'mit-' appears at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Bei diesem Thema redet er immer gerne mit.
He always likes to join in on this topic.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'mit-' (with, along) and the verb 'reden' (to talk). The literal meaning is 'to talk together with others', which describes the basic idea of participating well.
In der Pause haben alle über den neuen Film mitgeredet.
During the break, everyone joined in the discussion about the new film.
The preposition helps you recognize the meaning. 'Über ein Thema mitreden' (to join in on a topic) means to take part in a conversation. 'Bei einer Entscheidung mitreden' (to have a say in a decision) means to have influence.
Er kann über Kunstgeschichte stundenlang mitreden.
He can join in for hours when it comes to art history.
In the meaning 'sich an einem Gespräch beteiligen' (to take part in a conversation), 'mitreden' (to join in) is very often used in a negative form to express that someone has no idea about a topic.
Von Computern verstehe ich nichts, da kann ich nicht mitreden.
I don't understand anything about computers, so I can't join in there.
When it is about the right to influence something, 'mitreden' (to have a say) often appears together with modal verbs such as 'wollen' (to want), 'dürfen' (to be allowed to), or 'können' (to be able to).
Die Mitarbeiter wollen bei der neuen Regelung mitreden dürfen.
The employees want to be allowed to have a say in the new regulation.
to discuss
'diskutieren' and 'mitreden' both have to do with conversations and opinions. 'diskutieren' describes the whole conversation about a topic, especially when different arguments are mentioned. 'mitreden' means that someone takes part in such a conversation and also says something. It can also mean that someone is allowed to have influence in a decision. The words are easy to confuse because when you discuss something, you often also join in. But 'diskutieren' says what the group is doing; 'mitreden' emphasizes one person's participation or right to have a say.
Jana möchte bei der Planung der Feier unbedingt mitreden.
Jana definitely wants to have a say in planning the party.
Morgen diskutieren die Nachbarn über die neuen Parkplätze in der Straße.
Tomorrow the neighbors will discuss the new parking spaces on the street.