Difference between sprechen, reden and sagen

Are you struggling to understand the difference between these German verbs: Sprechen, reden, and sagen? If your answer is yes, then continue reading to clear this confusion forever.

In the German language, there are several verbs that are used to refer to the act of speaking or communicating. Three of the most commonly used verbs for this purpose are “sprechen,” “reden,” and “sagen.”

While these verbs are similar in some ways, they each have distinct meanings and uses that are important to understand.

German Verb Sprechen

German Verb Sprechen would be one of the words that every German learner gets familiar with at A1 Level. At the beginner’s level, the verb Sprechen simply means “to speak” or “to talk.” It is a general term that can be used to refer to any kind of verbal communication.

Examples With Sprechen

Ich spreche mit meinem Freun (I am talking to my friend)

Ich spreche Deutsch und Englisch (I speak German and English)

Welche sprachen sprechen Sie? (What language do you speak?)

Conjugation of “sprechen”

As the German verb Sprechen is an irregular verb, therefore, the “e” will change to an “i” when using “du” and “er, sie, es”.

Prepositions with “sprechen”

German Verb reden

The verb “reden” is often used to refer to a more extended or meaningful conversation. This verb is sometimes translated as “to converse/ to talk or chat” in English, and it implies a back-and-forth exchange of ideas or opinions.

Examples with reden

Wir müssen miteinander reden (We need to talk to each other.)

Jana redet immer viel.  (Jana always talks a lot.)

Wir haben über Politik geredet (We talked about politics.)

Conjugation of German Verb reden

Reden is a regular verb in German, and it follows the normal verb conjugation patterns for regular verbs in all tenses.

Prepositions with reden

German verb sagen 

Finally, the verb “sagen” means “to say” or “to tell.” This verb is used when referring to specific words or phrases that are spoken by one person to another.

For example, you might use “sagen” when reporting a statement made by someone else, such as “Sie hat gesagt, dass sie später kommen wird” (She said that she will come later)

You might also use “sagen” to express your own thoughts or opinions, such as “Ich sage dir meine Meinung” (I will tell you my opinion).

Examples with sagen

Ich sage immer die Wahrheit. (I always tell the truth.)

Er sagte mir, dass er heute spät kommen wird. (He told me that he will come late today)

Kannst du mir sagen, wie das auf Deutsch heißt? ( Can you tell me what that is called in German?)

Conjugation of sagen

“Sagen” is a regular verb therefore it follows the normal verb conjugations in all German times. 

Prepositions with sagen

The German verb “sagen” typically does not require a specific preposition to be used with it.

When expressing the content of what is being said, the accusative case is usually employed. However, when indicating to whom the message is being conveyed, the dative case must be used.

Also Read: Difference between enden and beenden in German

Conclusion 

Overall, while “sprechen,” “reden,” and “sagen” are all verbs that involve speaking or communicating, they each have specific meanings and uses that are important to understand.

By paying attention to the context in which these verbs are used, you can better understand the nuances of the German language and communicate more effectively with others.

Hope you have understood the difference between “sprechen,” “reden,” and “sagen”. If you have any queries or suggestions, do ask them in the comments below. Make sure to support us on our Social Media Handles

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