What is the difference between sprechen, reden and sagen?
Are you one of the many German students who struggle with choosing between "sprechen," "reden" and "sagen"? Don't worry; this article will equip you with the necessary knowledge to use these verbs in their appropriate contexts confidently. Say goodbye to confusion once and for all!
The German verbs "sprechen," "reden" and "sagen"
It is common for students to confuse these basic German verbs due to their comparable definitions. In the subsequent paragraphs, we will thoroughly examine and differentiate each for your better understanding.
Recommended study materials on the topic:
A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
B-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
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1. The verb sprechen
Learning the German language is an exciting journey, and "Sprechen" will be one of your first lessons. This word is essential in A1 level studies as it means "to speak." Communication through spoken words is a crucial part of this course. As you delve deeper into its meaning, you'll discover that "sprechen" refers to not just speaking but also encompasses the entire process involved in producing speech - from someone's ability or inability to communicate effectively to their tone and pace while conversing.
Just like seeing or walking are psychophysical abilities, so too is “sprechen” - a fundamental skill necessary for human interaction.
Examples with "sprechen"
Ich spreche Deutsch. → I speak German.
Welche Sprache sprechen Sie? → What language do you speak?
Conjugation of "sprechen"
"Sprechen" is an irregular verb, and therefore, the "e" changes to an "i" when using "du" and "er, sie, es". Also, it is irregular in the past tense.
Präsens (present tense)
ich spreche
du sprichst
er spricht
sie spricht
es spricht
wir sprechen
ihr sprecht
sie sprechen
Präteritum: er sprach
Perfekt: er hat gesprochen
Prepositions with "sprechen"
Besides you can also use "sprechen" with the following prepositions:
sprechen über + Accusative case → to speak about something or somebody
sprechen mit + Dative case → to speak with somebody
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2. The verb reden
When it comes to the German verb "reden," there are a couple of English translations that come to mind, such as "to talk" or "to chat." Essentially, this word encompasses any social interaction involving language - whether you're speaking with someone directly or discussing something in general. It's all about exchanging information and building relationships through conversation. Ultimately, when we use the term "reden," we're referring not just to a simple act but rather an action within a larger societal context where communication reigns supreme!
Examples with "reden"
Jana redet immer viel. → Jana always talks a lot.
Sie reden oft über ihre Probleme. → They often talk about their problems.
Conjugation of "reden"
"Reden" is a regular verb and hence follows the normal verb conjugations in all German times.
Prepositions with "reden"
"Reden" is frequently used with the following prepositions:
reden über + Accusative case → to talk about something or somebody
reden mit + Dative case → to talk with somebody
3. The verb "sagen"
The last verb of this article is "sagen" which we can translate into English "to tell" or "to say". When using the verb "sagen", you want to express that only one person "tells" something to another person.
Examples with "sagen"
Die Lehrerin sagt den Schülern die Antwort. → The teacher tells the students the answer.
Conjugation of "sagen"
"Sagen" is a regular verb and hence follows the normal verb conjugations in all German times.
Prepositions with "sagen"
"Sagen" usually is not followed by a particular preposition. If you wish to express what you are saying, you usually use Accusative. However, to express to whom you say something, you must use the Dative case.
Conclusion
I hope that after this article it became clear that "reden" is a process that involves more than one person. "Sprechen" is the action one does when speaking, and "sagen" is when only one person speaks to others.
To prevent further confusion, you should check out the difference between “denken” und “nachdenken”.
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