weiterreden

Weiterreden is a German verb meaning to continue speaking or to go on talking. It is a separable prefix verb formed from reden (to speak) and the prefix weiter, which adds the sense of continuation or extension.

Grammar and usage

As a separable verb, weiterreden behaves like other verbs with the weiter- prefix in many tenses. In the present tense, the prefix separates from the stem and appears before the verb at the end of the clause: Ich rede weiter. In the perfect tense the participle is weitergeredet: Wir haben weitergeredet. In subordinate clauses the finite form can appear with weiterrede: Er glaubt, dass ich weiterrede. The imperative forms are Rede weiter (informal, singular) or Reden Sie weiter (formal).

Common contexts

Weiterreden is used to describe continuing a conversation, argument, or lecture after a pause, interruption, or shift to another topic. It can convey persistence or insistence in speaking. Typical constructions include statements like Wir reden jetzt weiter or Ich möchte gerne mit dir weiterreden. Negatively, one might say Ich will nicht weiterreden to indicate stopping the discussion.

Relations and variants

Synonyms or near-synonyms include fortfahren zu reden or weitersprechen, though these can carry slightly different nuances. Weiterreden contrasts with phrases that suggest changing the topic or ending the discussion. Etymologically, weiterreden combines weiter (further, again) with reden (to speak), reflecting the notion of continuing the act of speaking.

See also

Fortfahren; weitersprechen; reden.