spotten
to mock
To make fun of someone or something using mocking, often hurtful words.
EXAMPLE
Die Zuschauer spotteten über den schlechten Auftritt des Sängers.
The audience mocked the singer's poor performance.
spotten
to mock / spot
spotten – spottete – hat gespottet
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Meanings
einer Sache spotten
to defy
To be completely beyond description, explanation, or evaluation because something is so unusual or extreme. This elevated usage occurs especially in fixed expressions with „Beschreibung“ (description) or „jeder Vernunft“ (all reason).
EXAMPLE
Die hygienischen Zustände in der Unterkunft spotteten jeder Beschreibung.
The hygienic conditions at the accommodation defied description.
spotten
to spot
To deliberately observe aircraft, ships, or other vehicles, often photographing them or recording their details. This activity is usually pursued as a hobby.
EXAMPLE
Am Flughafen spotten wir Flugzeuge und notieren ihre Kennzeichen.
At the airport, we spot planes and write down their registration numbers.
spotten
to spot
In weight training or bouldering, to secure another person by watching them closely and intervening if necessary. In bouldering, this mainly involves helping direct a fall onto the mat.
EXAMPLE
Beim Bankdrücken mit schweren Gewichten sollte dich jemand spotten.
When bench-pressing heavy weights, someone should spot you.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry spotten, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | spotte |
|---|---|
| du | spottest |
| er/sie/es | spottet |
| wir | spotten |
| ihr | spottet |
| sie | spotten |
Simple past
| ich | spottete |
|---|---|
| du | spottetest |
| er/sie/es | spottete |
| wir | spotteten |
| ihr | spottetet |
| sie | spotteten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe gespottet |
|---|---|
| du | hast gespottet |
| er/sie/es | hat gespottet |
| wir | haben gespottet |
| ihr | habt gespottet |
| sie | haben gespottet |
Commands
| du | spotte! spott! |
|---|---|
| ihr | spottet! |
| Sie | spotten Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte gespottet |
|---|---|
| du | hattest gespottet |
| er/sie/es | hatte gespottet |
| wir | hatten gespottet |
| ihr | hattet gespottet |
| sie | hatten gespottet |
Future
| ich | werde spotten |
|---|---|
| du | wirst spotten |
| er/sie/es | wird spotten |
| wir | werden spotten |
| ihr | werdet spotten |
| sie | werden spotten |
Subjunctive I
| ich | spotte |
|---|---|
| du | spottest |
| er/sie/es | spotte |
| wir | spotten |
| ihr | spottet |
| sie | spotten |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | spottete |
|---|---|
| du | spottetest |
| er/sie/es | spottete |
| wir | spotteten |
| ihr | spottetet |
| sie | spotteten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | spotten |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu spotten |
| present participle | spottend |
| past participle | gespottet |
Usage tips
Context clue
The context usually shows which meaning of „spotten“ (to mock / spot) is intended: words like „Flughafen“ (airport), „Flugzeug“ (aircraft), or „Kennzeichen“ (registration number) point to observing vehicles; „Bankdrücken“ (bench pressing), „Gewichte“ (weights), or „Bouldern“ (bouldering) point to securing someone during sports.
EXAMPLE
Am Flughafenzaun spotten die Jugendlichen Flugzeuge.
The teenagers spot planes from the airport fence.
Beim Bouldern spottete er seine Freundin aufmerksam.
While bouldering, he carefully spotted his girlfriend.
Correct preposition
In the meaning „sich spöttisch äußern“ (to express oneself mockingly), „spotten“ (to mock) typically appears with „über“ (about) and the accusative. The preposition refers to the person or thing being mocked.
EXAMPLE
Die Fans spotteten über die ungewöhnliche Frisur des Schauspielers.
The fans mocked the actor's unusual hairstyle.
Genitive construction
In the elevated expression „einer Sache spotten“ (to defy something), the thing appears in the genitive. Common fixed expressions include „jeder Beschreibung spotten“ (to defy description) and „aller Vernunft spotten“ (to defy all reason).
EXAMPLE
Sein leichtsinniges Verhalten spottete aller Vernunft.
His reckless behavior defied all reason.
Hobby context
In this meaning, „spotten“ (to spot) is especially often used with vehicles, such as aircraft or ships. Typical settings are airports, train stations, and harbors, where observers record details or take photos.
EXAMPLE
Am Hafen spotten sie Schiffe und fotografieren die einlaufenden Fähren.
At the harbor, they spot ships and photograph the ferries coming in.
Sports spotting
In sports, „spotten“ (to spot) is usually used with a person in the accusative and an indication of the exercise or sport. Typical patterns are „jemanden beim Bankdrücken spotten“ (to spot someone while bench pressing) and „jemanden beim Bouldern spotten“ (to spot someone while bouldering).
EXAMPLE
Beim Training spottete der erfahrene Athlet seinen Partner beim Bankdrücken.
During training, the experienced athlete spotted his partner while he was bench pressing.
In real life
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