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.
to have a say
To have the right or opportunity to influence a decision or make one's voice heard.
Die Bürgerinitiative fordert, bei der Planung des neuen Baugebiets mitreden zu dürfen.
The citizens' initiative is demanding the right to have a say in the planning of the new development area.
'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 join in / get involved
Mitreden and mitmischen can both express taking part in a shared decision. Mitreden emphasizes the right or opportunity to have a say, while mitmischen suggests more extensive active involvement or interference and usually sounds colloquial. Use mitreden when someone has a say and mitmischen when they actively intervene in the matter.
Als Mitglied des Vereins darf sie bei der Entscheidung über das neue Projekt mitreden.
As a member of the association, she is allowed to have a say in the decision about the new project.
Obwohl er kein Mitglied ist, will er bei der Entscheidung über das neue Projekt mitmischen.
Although he is not a member, he wants to get involved in the decision about the new project.
