das Widerwort
objection
An utterance with which someone contradicts something or raises an objection to it.
EXAMPLE
Er erledigte den Auftrag ohne ein Widerwort.
He carried out the assignment without a word of protest.
das Widerwort
objection
das Widerwort, die Widerworte
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Widerwort, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Widerworte |
| genitive | des Widerworts |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Widerwort | die Widerworte |
| accusative | das Widerwort | die Widerworte |
| dative | dem Widerwort | den Widerworten |
| genitive | des Widerworts des Widerwortes | der Widerworte |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Widerwort' is made up of 'wider' (against) and 'Wort' (word). Here, 'wider' expresses contradiction; literally, the word refers to a word of opposition.
EXAMPLE
Sie nahm die Entscheidung der Leitung ohne ein Widerwort hin.
She accepted the management's decision without a word of protest.
Fixed expressions
'Widerwort' frequently appears in expressions such as 'kein Widerwort dulden' (to tolerate no objection), 'ohne ein Widerwort' (without a word of protest), and 'ohne Widerwort gehorchen' (to obey without question). These expressions usually describe a situation in which someone raises no objection.
EXAMPLE
Der strenge Trainer duldete kein Widerwort.
The strict coach tolerated no objections.
'Widerworte' in the plural
Alongside the singular, the plural 'Widerworte' is also used, especially in the expression 'Widerworte geben' (to talk back). It means that someone responds rudely or defiantly, often a child talking to an adult.
EXAMPLE
Der Junge gab seiner Lehrerin ständig Widerworte.
The boy was constantly talking back to his teacher.
In real life
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