Understanding the Basics: antworten vs. beantworten
What Does “antworten” Mean?
The verb antworten means “to answer” or “to reply.” It is an intransitive verb, which means it typically does not take a direct object in the accusative case. Instead, it is usually followed by the dative case to indicate to whom you are answering.
What Does “beantworten” Mean?
Beantworten also means “to answer,” but it is a transitive verb. This means it takes a direct object in the accusative case. You use beantworten when specifying exactly what is being answered, such as a question, an email, or a letter.
Grammatical Differences in Usage
Using “antworten” with the Dative Case
Since antworten is intransitive, you indicate the person you are answering by using the dative case. For example:
- Kannst du mir antworten? (Can you answer me?)
- Er hat seiner Mutter geantwortet. (He answered his mother.)
You do not use antworten with a direct object specifying the thing being answered.
Using “beantworten” with the Accusative Case
With beantworten, you specify what is being answered, using the accusative case:
- Kannst du die Frage beantworten? (Can you answer the question?)
- Sie hat die E-Mail beantwortet. (She answered the email.)
Notice that you do not use beantworten to indicate the person you are answering, but rather the item or subject being answered.
Summary Table: antworten vs. beantworten
| Verb | Translation | Case Used | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| antworten | to answer, to reply | Dative (person) | Ich antworte dir später. (I’ll answer you later.) |
| beantworten | to answer | Accusative (thing) | Ich beantworte deine Frage. (I am answering your question.) |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A frequent error among German learners is mixing up these verbs and their required cases. For example, saying Ich beantworte dir is incorrect because beantworten cannot take a dative pronoun referring to a person. To avoid confusion, remember:
- Use antworten for replying to a person, with the dative case.
- Use beantworten for answering a specific thing (question, email, etc.), with the accusative case.
Practical Examples for Everyday German
- Kannst du mir bitte antworten? (Can you please reply to me?)
- Ich habe deine E-Mail noch nicht beantwortet. (I have not answered your email yet.)
- Sie antwortet ihrem Chef immer schnell. (She always answers her boss quickly.)
- Hast du die Frage schon beantwortet? (Have you already answered the question?)
Tips for Mastering antworten and beantworten
- Practice by making your own sentences, switching between answering a person and answering a thing.
- Listen to native German speakers or use language learning platforms like Talkpal to hear these verbs in context.
- When in doubt, remember: antworten = person (dative), beantworten = thing (accusative).
Conclusion
While antworten and beantworten both mean “to answer,” their grammatical use is quite different. Mastering when and how to use each verb will make your German sound much more natural and correct. Whether you’re chatting with friends, writing emails, or answering questions in German, knowing this difference is essential. For more tips and interactive practice, check out the resources on the Talkpal AI language learning blog and continue improving your German proficiency!
