kontratecken

Kontratecken, also known as "contrast marks," are a type of punctuation used in German to indicate a contrast or opposition between two ideas. They are typically placed between two words or phrases to show that the second element is in contrast to the first. The most common kontratecken is the double hyphen (—), which is used to separate two contrasting ideas.

For example, in the phrase "Er ist klug — aber er ist faul" (He is smart — but he is lazy), the double hyphen indicates that the speaker is contrasting the person's intelligence with their laziness. This punctuation mark is particularly useful in German, where the word order can sometimes make it difficult to express contrasts clearly.

Kontratecken are not to be confused with the em dash, which is used to set off a parenthetical expression or to indicate a break in thought. The em dash is longer and more commonly used in English, while the double hyphen is specific to German.

In summary, kontratecken are a valuable tool in German punctuation, helping to clarify contrasts and oppositions between ideas. Their use is an important aspect of effective communication in the German language.