Breakdown of Die Details widersprechen dem hinterhältigen Klatsch.
das Detail
the detail
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
hinterhältig
sneaky
der Klatsch
the gossip
Questions & Answers about Die Details widersprechen dem hinterhältigen Klatsch.
Why is "wider-" attached directly to the verb here instead of going to the end of the sentence?
The prefix wider- (meaning "against") forms inseparable verbs. Unlike separable prefixes, it stays glued to the base verb in all conjugations. This is why we say widersprechen and not sprechen ... wider.
Why does the sentence use the dative case for "dem hinterhältigen Klatsch" instead of the accusative?
The verb widersprechen strictly requires a dative object. You can think of it as speaking in opposition "to" someone or something. Since der Klatsch (gossip) is a masculine noun, the article changes to dem and the adjective takes the standard dative -en ending.
Is the prefix wider- in widersprechen just a different spelling of wieder (again)?
They are pronounced exactly the same but have completely different roots and meanings. The prefix wider- (without the 'e') means "against" or "contrary to," which gives us the meaning "to contradict." The word wieder (with the 'e') means "again."
Does the adjective hinterhältig also use one of the semantic prefixes from this lesson?
Yes! It is built from the prefix hinter- (behind) and a form of halten (to hold). If someone is holding their true motives behind their back, they are being hinterhältig, which perfectly translates to "sneaky" or "underhanded."