der  Widerspruch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈviːdɐʃpʁʊx/

🤔 What exactly is a 'Widerspruch'?

Der Widerspruch is a masculine noun (*Maskulinum*) and primarily has two meanings:

• Logical contradiction / inconsistency: A statement or action that contradicts another or is self-contradictory. *Example: Seine Aussagen stehen in klarem Widerspruch zueinander (His statements are in clear contradiction to each other).*
• Objection / protest / appeal (often legal): A formal expression of disagreement or a challenge to a decision or claim. *Example: Gegen den Bescheid kann Widerspruch eingelegt werden (An objection can be filed against the notice).*

⚠️ The only correct article for *Widerspruch* is der. Other articles are incorrect.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Widerspruch

The noun der Widerspruch is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Application Examples

1. Der Widerspruch in seiner Argumentation war offensichtlich.
   (The contradiction in his argumentation was obvious.)
2. Wir müssen fristgerecht Widerspruch gegen den Steuerbescheid einlegen.
   (We must file an objection against the tax assessment notice in due time.)
3. Das Verhalten des Zeugen stand im Widerspruch zu seinen früheren Aussagen.
   (The witness's behavior contradicted his earlier statements.)
4. Die vielen Widersprüche in dem Bericht machten ihn unglaubwürdig.
   (The many contradictions in the report made it unbelievable.)

🗣️ When and how to use 'Widerspruch'?

Der Widerspruch is used in various contexts:

• Everyday language & discussions: To point out a contrast or inconsistency. *"Da sehe ich aber einen Widerspruch!" (But I see a contradiction there!)*
• Logic & philosophy: Denotes a state where two statements cannot be true at the same time (principle of non-contradiction).
• Law & administration: As a formal legal remedy against an official or judicial decision. The most common phrase here is *"Widerspruch einlegen" (to file an objection/appeal)*.
• Psychology: Internal *Widersprüche* (contradictions) can indicate conflicts or ambivalence.

Distinction from similar words:

• Einwand (*objection*): Often less formal than a *Widerspruch*, a voiced concern.
• Protest (*protest*): Often expresses public discontent or resistance, not necessarily formally or logically justified.
• Gegensatz (*contrast, opposite*): A more general term for something opposite, not necessarily a logical flaw or formal objection.

💡 How to remember 'der Widerspruch'

Article Mnemonic: Think of a strong objection, a masculine protest – DER Widerspruch raises its voice.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone *wider*sprechen, meaning speaking *against* something. The "Spruch" is the saying or statement, "wider" means *against*. So, a *Widerspruch* is literally a 'counter-statement' or 'against-saying'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Widerspruch

🚨 Potential for Confusion:

• Widerruf: *Revocation, retraction* (e.g., retracting a statement or revoking a will). This is about taking back one's *own* statement/decision, not objecting to someone else's.

😄 A little joke

Warum streiten sich zwei Mathematiker nie lange? Weil sie schnell merken, dass ihre Argumente voller Widersprüche sind und einer von beiden unrecht hat – und dann rechnen sie es einfach aus! 😉

(Why do two mathematicians never argue for long? Because they quickly realize their arguments are full of contradictions and one of them is wrong – and then they just calculate it!)

✒️ Poem about Contradiction

Mal sagst du Ja, mal sagst du Nein,
Was gestern galt, soll heut nicht sein.
Ein Hin und Her, ein Widerstreit,
Der Widerspruch macht sich breit.
Mal heiß, mal kalt, mal Licht, mal Nacht,
Hat er schon manchen Kopf zerbracht.

(Sometimes you say yes, sometimes you say no,
What held true yesterday, today must go.
A back and forth, a conflict rife,
The contradiction spreads through life.
Sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes light, sometimes night,
It has already troubled many a mind's might.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Nein zu einem Ja,
ein Stopp, wenn alles schien schon klar.
Im Recht kann man mich förmlich geben,
in Logik bring' ich's Denken zum Beben.

Was bin ich?
... Der Widerspruch

(I am a 'no' to a 'yes',
a stop, when all seemed clear, no less.
In law, I can be formally presented,
In logic, I make thinking tormented.

What am I?
... Contradiction / Objection (Der Widerspruch))

✨ Other Interesting Details

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Widerspruch" is composed of:

• wider: A preposition/prefix meaning *'against'*.
• Spruch: Here meaning *'saying', 'utterance', 'verdict'*.

So, a *Widerspruch* literally means a 'counter-saying' or 'against-statement'.

Philosophical Significance: The "Satz vom Widerspruch" (*principle of non-contradiction*) is a fundamental principle of classical logic, stating that a proposition cannot be both true and false at the same time.