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A2 adverb #4,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

Dagegen

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces Dagegen en 30 secondes

Explication Dagegen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'dagegen' in very simple contexts, primarily as the opposite of 'dafür' (for it). It is used to express a basic opinion. For example, if someone asks 'Sollen wir Pizza essen?' (Should we eat pizza?), you could say 'Ich bin dagegen' if you don't want pizza. It's a quick way to say 'against that' without needing to repeat the whole idea. You might also hear it when someone accidentally bumps into something, like 'Ich bin dagegen gelaufen' (I walked into it/that). At this stage, focus on the phrase 'Ich bin dagegen' as a fixed expression to show you don't agree with a plan or idea. It's one of the first 'da-' words you will learn because it's so useful in daily decision-making.

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At the A2 level, you start using 'dagegen' in more complete sentences. A key phrase is 'Ich habe nichts dagegen' (I have nothing against it / I don't mind). This is very common when someone asks for permission, like 'Darf ich das Fenster öffnen?' (May I open the window?). You also begin to see 'dagegen' used to compare two simple things. For example, 'Mein Auto ist alt, deines dagegen ist neu' (My car is old, yours on the other hand is new). You should understand that 'dagegen' stands for 'gegen' + a thing mentioned before. Instead of saying 'Ich habe nichts gegen das Rauchen,' you say 'Ich habe nichts dagegen.' This makes your German sound much more natural and less like a translation from English.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'dagegen' as a connector in arguments. It becomes a tool for structuring your thoughts. You will use it to introduce counter-arguments in discussions: 'Es gibt viele Gründe dafür, aber auch einige dagegen' (There are many reasons for it, but also some against it). You will also encounter 'dagegen' in combination with verbs that take the preposition 'gegen', such as 'verstoßen gegen' (to violate). If you are talking about rules, you can say 'Er hat dagegen verstoßen.' You should also start using 'dagegen' followed by a 'dass-clause' or 'zu-infinitive', such as 'Ich habe nichts dagegen, am Wochenende zu arbeiten' (I don't mind working on the weekend). This level requires you to use the word to link ideas across sentences.

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At the B2 level, 'dagegen' is used with more nuance, particularly in formal writing and debates. You will use it to contrast complex concepts. For instance, in an essay, you might contrast two political systems or economic theories using 'dagegen' to highlight the differences. You should also be familiar with the idiomatic use of 'dagegen' in phrases like 'da ist nichts dagegen zu sagen' (there's nothing to be said against that/it's perfectly fine). You will recognize that 'dagegen' can be used as a 'placeholder' (Korrelat) for a following clause. At this stage, you should also distinguish between 'dagegen' and its more formal cousin 'hingegen' and choose the appropriate one based on the context's formality.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'dagegen' should be sophisticated and stylistically varied. You might use it to create a rhetorical contrast: 'Während die eine Seite auf Expansion setzt, plädiert die andere dagegen für Konsolidierung.' Here, 'dagegen' is used alongside 'während' (while) to reinforce the contrast. You will also use 'dagegen' in legal, scientific, or philosophical contexts to refer back to specific propositions or findings. You should be able to identify when 'dagegen' is being used purely as a spatial adverb versus a logical one. Furthermore, you can use it to refute complex arguments in a structured way: 'Dagegen lässt sich einwenden, dass...' (Against that, it can be argued that...).

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At the C2 level, 'dagegen' is a tool for precision and elegance. You use it to navigate highly abstract discussions where the 'da-' could refer to a whole preceding paragraph or a complex philosophical stance. You understand the subtle rhythmic differences between placing 'dagegen' at the start of a sentence versus in the middle. You might use it in literary analysis to contrast motifs or in high-level negotiations to pivot between different positions. Your mastery includes knowing when 'dagegen' is the most efficient choice and when a more descriptive phrase like 'im krassen Gegensatz hierzu' would be more impactful. You also recognize its use in historical texts where the 'da-' might have a slightly different demonstrative weight.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Dagegen en 30 secondes

Dagegen is a German word meaning 'against it' or 'on the other hand'.
It is used to express disagreement, physical contact, or logical contrast.
It replaces the need to repeat a noun after the preposition 'gegen'.
It is essential for natural-sounding debates and comparisons in German.

The German word dagegen is a pronominal adverb, a linguistic powerhouse that English speakers often find tricky because it doesn't have a single one-to-one translation. At its most basic level, it combines the preposition 'gegen' (against) with the demonstrative prefix 'da-' (which acts like 'it' or 'that' in this context). However, its usage spans from physical positioning to intense political opposition and even logical contrast. Understanding 'dagegen' is essential for moving beyond basic German, as it allows you to reference complex ideas or previously mentioned topics without repeating long nouns. It functions as a bridge, connecting a new statement to a previous one by expressing a relationship of opposition or comparison.

Physical Opposition: In its most literal sense, it refers to something being physically pressed or positioned against an object. If a ball hits a wall, it flies 'dagegen'.

Der Schrank steht an der Wand, und der Stuhl lehnt dagegen.

The cupboard stands against the wall, and the chair leans against it.

Ideological Disagreement: This is perhaps the most common use in daily conversation. When someone proposes an idea and you disagree, you are 'dagegen'. It is the opposite of 'dafür' (for it).

Furthermore, 'dagegen' serves as a connector for contrast, similar to 'by contrast' or 'on the other hand'. It highlights differences between two subjects or situations. For example, if you are describing two cities, you might say Berlin is loud, but Munich, dagegen, is quiet. This usage is vital for argumentative writing and sophisticated storytelling.

Alle stimmten für den Plan, nur er war dagegen.

Comparison and Contrast: Used to introduce a counter-point or a different perspective in a comparison. It often appears in the middle of a sentence or at the start of a second clause.

Gestern war es heiß, heute dagegen ist es recht kühl.

In summary, 'dagegen' is a versatile tool for indicating opposition, physical contact, or contrast. It replaces the need for 'gegen' + a noun or pronoun, making sentences more fluid and natural in German discourse.

The placement of dagegen in a sentence depends heavily on its function—whether it's acting as a pronominal adverb referring to a previous noun, or as a conjunction-like adverb for contrast. Mastering its position is key to sounding fluent. In simple statements of opposition, it often follows the verb 'sein' (to be) or 'haben' (to have). For instance, 'Ich habe nichts dagegen' is the standard way to say 'I don't mind' or 'I have nothing against it.'

Verb Placement: When used with verbs of movement or action, 'dagegen' usually appears where a prepositional phrase would be. 'Er stieß dagegen' (He bumped against it).

Wenn du nichts dagegen hast, würde ich gerne das Fenster öffnen.

When using 'dagegen' to express contrast, it often occupies the first position in a main clause or comes directly after the conjugated verb. This 'contrastive' use is frequent in written German. For example: 'Das erste Auto war teuer. Das zweite dagegen war ein Schnäppchen.' Here, it acts as a transition word, guiding the listener through a comparison. It is important to note that when 'dagegen' starts a sentence, the verb must immediately follow it (V2 rule).

The 'Da-' Rule: If the preposition starts with a consonant (like 'gegen'), we simply add 'da-'. If it started with a vowel, we would add 'dar-'. Thus, it is always 'dagegen', never 'dargegen'.

Dagegen lässt sich argumentieren, dass die Kosten zu hoch sind.

Relative Clauses: 'Dagegen' can also introduce a sub-clause that explains what exactly is being opposed. 'Ich habe nichts dagegen, dass du später kommst.'

Finally, consider its use in idioms like 'verstoßen' (to violate). 'Er hat gegen die Regeln verstoßen' becomes 'Er hat dagegen verstoßen' once the rules have been mentioned. This keeps your speech concise and avoids redundancy.

If you spend a day in a German-speaking environment, you will likely hear dagegen dozens of times. It is ubiquitous in democratic processes, office meetings, and family dinner arguments. In the German Bundestag (parliament), you will hear politicians say 'Wir stimmen dagegen' (We are voting against it) regarding a new bill. This formal usage is mirrored in everyday life when making plans. If a group of friends wants to go to a specific restaurant and you prefer another, you might simply say, 'Ich bin dagegen.'

The News and Media: In news reports about protests, you'll see signs with 'Dagegen!' written in bold letters. It is the quintessential word for resistance and opposition in German culture.

Die Anwohner protestieren dagegen, dass der Parkplatz gebaut wird.

In professional settings, 'dagegen' is used to provide counter-arguments. A manager might present a strategy, and a colleague might respond with, 'Dagegen spricht jedoch die aktuelle Marktlage' (The current market situation, however, speaks against that). This is a polite but firm way to introduce a conflicting fact. You will also hear it in sports commentary: 'Die Abwehr konnte nichts dagegen tun' (The defense could do nothing against it).

Casual Conversations: You'll hear the phrase 'Was hast du dagegen?' (What do you have against it? / Why do you mind?) when someone questions your reluctance to do something.

Mein Bruder liebt Rockmusik, ich dagegen höre lieber Jazz.

In literature and journalism, 'dagegen' is a stylistic tool used to create rhythm and contrast. It allows writers to set up a 'thesis' and then immediately provide an 'antithesis' without clunky repetitions. For a learner, hearing 'dagegen' is a signal to pay attention to the shift in the speaker's logic.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to translate 'against it' or 'against that' literally as 'gegen es' or 'gegen das'. In German, when 'against' refers to an inanimate object or an abstract idea, the pronominal adverb dagegen is mandatory. Saying 'Ich bin gegen es' sounds very unnatural and is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'dagegen' and 'hingegen'. While they can both mean 'on the other hand', 'dagegen' is much more common in spoken German and has a stronger sense of opposition.

The 'Gegen' vs. 'Dagegen' Trap: Use 'gegen' + [Noun] for specific things (gegen die Wand). Use 'dagegen' when the thing has already been mentioned.

Incorrect: Ich habe nichts gegen das.
Correct: Ich habe nichts dagegen.

Learners also struggle with the 'da-' vs 'dar-' prefix. Because 'gegen' starts with a consonant, you never insert an 'r'. Some students mistakenly say 'dargegen' because they are used to 'darauf' or 'darin'. This is a minor but noticeable error. Additionally, ensure you don't confuse 'dagegen' with 'gegenüber'. 'Gegenüber' means 'opposite' in a spatial sense (across the street), while 'dagegen' implies contact or opposition.

Misusing Contrast: Don't use 'dagegen' if there is no previous statement to contrast with. It requires a context of comparison.

Er ist groß. Sein Bruder dagegen ist eher klein.

Finally, watch out for the phrase 'dagegen sein'. In English, we say 'to be against it'. In German, the 'it' is built into the word. Avoid adding extra pronouns. 'Ich bin dagegen es' is a double error. Simply 'Ich bin dagegen' is perfect and sufficient.

The most direct synonym for dagegen when used for contrast is hingegen. While 'dagegen' is common in speech, 'hingegen' is slightly more formal and frequently found in literature. Another alternative is jedoch (however), though 'jedoch' is broader and doesn't always imply a direct comparison of two specific items. If you are expressing physical opposition, there aren't many direct synonyms for the pronominal adverb form, though you could use 'an [etwas]' or 'wider [etwas]' in archaic or poetic contexts.

Dagegen vs. Hingegen: 'Dagegen' is stronger and can mean active opposition. 'Hingegen' is purely comparative and neutral.

Ich mag Äpfel, Birnen hingegen finde ich zu süß.

When you want to express the opposite of 'dagegen' (meaning 'for it'), use dafür. These two are the primary pair for expressing opinions in German. If you are looking for a word that means 'on the other hand' in a more general sense of weighing options, you might use andererseits. 'Dagegen' is more specific to the contrast between the two things immediately being discussed.

Wider (Archaic/Specific): 'Wider' also means against, but it is rarely used as a pronominal adverb in modern German. It survives in words like 'Widerspruch' (contradiction).

Bist du dafür oder dagegen?

In academic writing, you might encounter im Gegensatz dazu (in contrast to that). This phrase is more explicit than 'dagegen' and is often used to start a new paragraph or a complex sentence. However, for most everyday situations, 'dagegen' remains the most natural and versatile choice for showing that something is in opposition or contrast.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Pronominal adverbs like 'dagegen' are a unique feature of West Germanic languages (German, Dutch) that English mostly lost, though words like 'thereagainst' or 'herewith' are archaic equivalents.

Guide de prononciation

UK /daˈɡeːɡn̩/

US /dɑˈɡeɪɡən/

Second syllable: da-GE-gen.

Rime avec

wegen Segen regen legen fegen pflegen belegen erlegen

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the first syllable (DA-gegen).
Pronouncing the 'g' like a 'j'.
Adding an 'r' (dargegen).
Pronouncing the final 'en' too clearly like 'pen'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in text once the 'da-' logic is understood.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of V2 word order and when to use it vs. 'hingegen'.

Expression orale 3/5

Very common, but learners often forget to use the 'da-' form and say 'gegen es'.

Écoute 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually easy to hear in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

gegen da dafür nicht sein

Apprends ensuite

hingegen wogegen dennoch trotzdem obwohl

Avancé

dahingegen wider konträr einwenden verstoßen

Grammaire à connaître

Pronominal Adverbs

da + gegen = dagegen (instead of gegen es).

V2 Word Order

Dagegen bin ich. (Not: Dagegen ich bin).

Correlative usage

Ich habe nichts dagegen, dass du gehst.

Comparison markers

Using dagegen to show contrast between two subjects.

Prepositional objects

Verbs like 'verstoßen gegen' require 'dagegen' for inanimate objects.

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Exemples par niveau

Ich bin dagegen.

I am against it.

Subject + verb + pronominal adverb.

Bist du dafür oder dagegen?

Are you for or against it?

Simple question with two options.

Er ist dagegen gelaufen.

He walked into it.

Spatial use referring to an object.

Wir sind alle dagegen.

We are all against it.

Plural subject.

Hast du etwas dagegen?

Do you have something against it? (Do you mind?)

Common idiomatic question.

Dagegen!

Against!

Used as a standalone exclamation.

Das Auto fuhr dagegen.

The car drove against it.

Action verb + dagegen.

Niemand ist dagegen.

Nobody is against it.

Negative subject.

Ich habe nichts dagegen, wenn du kommst.

I have nothing against it if you come.

Used with a sub-clause.

Mein Kaffee ist heiß, deiner dagegen ist kalt.

My coffee is hot, yours on the other hand is cold.

Contrastive use in a comparison.

Was spricht dagegen?

What speaks against it? (What are the arguments against it?)

Standard phrase for evaluating options.

Er lehnte das Fahrrad dagegen.

He leaned the bike against it.

Transitive verb + object + dagegen.

Dagegen kann man nichts machen.

One can do nothing against that.

Dagegen at the start for emphasis.

Sie ist dagegen allergisch.

She is allergic to it.

Adjective + dagegen.

Wir haben uns dagegen entschieden.

We decided against it.

Reflexive verb + dagegen.

Das ist ein Argument dagegen.

That is an argument against it.

Noun + dagegen.

Er hat gegen das Gesetz verstoßen, und nun muss er die Strafe dagegen akzeptieren.

He violated the law, and now he must accept the punishment for it.

Referring back to a previous noun (Gesetz).

Ich habe nichts dagegen, dass wir den Termin verschieben.

I don't mind that we postpone the appointment.

Dagegen as a correlative for a dass-clause.

Dagegen hilft nur viel Ruhe und Tee.

Against that, only lots of rest and tea help.

Dagegen referring to an illness mentioned before.

Während er spart, gibt sie dagegen viel Geld aus.

While he saves, she on the other hand spends a lot of money.

Contrastive use with 'während'.

Es gibt keine Einwände dagegen.

There are no objections against it.

Formal noun + dagegen.

Er stemmte sich mit aller Kraft dagegen.

He braced himself against it with all his strength.

Physical and metaphorical resistance.

Dagegen ist kein Kraut gewachsen.

There is no remedy for that. (Idiom)

Idiomatic expression.

Man kann nichts dagegen einwenden.

One cannot object to that.

Modal verb + dagegen + infinitive.

Die Opposition stimmte geschlossen dagegen.

The opposition voted unanimously against it.

Political context.

Dagegen spricht vor allem der hohe Preis.

The high price is the main argument against it.

Inverted word order for emphasis.

Sie hat nichts dagegen einzuwenden, wenn wir früher gehen.

She has no objection to us leaving earlier.

Formal construction with 'einzuwenden'.

Im Vergleich zum Vorjahr ist der Gewinn dagegen gesunken.

Compared to the previous year, the profit has decreased by contrast.

Used in economic reporting.

Dagegen ist doch gar nichts zu sagen!

There's absolutely nothing to be said against that!

Emphatic use with 'doch' and 'gar'.

Er wehrte sich heftig dagegen, als Lügner bezeichnet zu werden.

He resisted strongly against being called a liar.

Reflexive verb 'sich wehren' + dagegen + infinitive clause.

Dagegen wirkt mein Problem fast winzig.

Compared to that, my problem seems almost tiny.

Comparative use with 'wirken'.

Es wurde Einspruch dagegen erhoben.

An objection was raised against it.

Passive voice + formal noun phrase.

Dagegen lässt sich jedoch anführen, dass die Datenlage unzureichend ist.

Against that, however, it can be argued that the data is insufficient.

Academic argumentative style.

Die Vorteile überwiegen, doch es regt sich auch Widerstand dagegen.

The advantages outweigh [the disadvantages], but resistance to it is also stirring.

Literary/Journalistic style.

Er verstieß gegen die Etikette; dagegen konnte die Gastgeberin nichts tun.

He violated etiquette; the hostess could do nothing about it.

Referring back to a complex situation.

Dagegen erscheint seine frühere Theorie geradezu simpel.

In contrast to that, his earlier theory appears downright simple.

Sophisticated comparison.

Man muss die Kosten gegen den Nutzen abwägen; dagegen spricht die Dringlichkeit.

One must weigh the costs against the benefits; the urgency speaks against that [weighing].

Abstract logical reference.

Es gibt keine rechtliche Handhabe dagegen.

There is no legal leverage against it.

Legal terminology.

Dagegen verblasst jede andere Entdeckung dieses Jahrhunderts.

Every other discovery of this century pales in comparison to that.

Rhetorical hyperbole.

Wir müssen uns dagegen verwahren, so behandelt zu werden.

We must protest against being treated this way.

High-level formal verb 'sich verwahren'.

Dagegen ließe sich freilich einwenden, dass diese Prämisse bereits fehlerhaft ist.

Against that, one could admittedly object that this premise is already flawed.

Subjunctive II + modal particles.

Die Evidenz ist erdrückend; dagegen zu argumentieren wäre zwecklos.

The evidence is overwhelming; to argue against it would be futile.

Infinitive construction as subject.

In der Lyrik Heines finden wir oft Ironie; dagegen steht Rilkes tiefer Ernst.

In Heine's poetry we often find irony; Rilke's deep seriousness stands in contrast to that.

Literary comparison.

Dagegen ist, bei Lichte besehen, kaum ein stichhaltiges Argument zu finden.

Against that, viewed closely, hardly a sound argument can be found.

Idiomatic 'bei Lichte besehen'.

Das Gesetz ist eindeutig, doch die Praxis verstößt permanent dagegen.

The law is clear, yet practice permanently violates it.

Contrast between theory and practice.

Dagegen nimmt sich sein Beitrag wie eine bloße Fußnote aus.

Compared to that, his contribution looks like a mere footnote.

Reflexive 'sich ausnehmen' as 'to look like'.

Man kann sich der Entwicklung nicht entziehen, sosehr man auch dagegen ankämpft.

One cannot escape the development, no matter how much one fights against it.

Concessive clause context.

Dagegen ist kein Einspruch mehr möglich, das Urteil ist rechtskräftig.

No further objection to that is possible; the judgment is final.

Legal finality.

Collocations courantes

nichts dagegen haben

etwas dagegen tun

dagegen stimmen

dagegen sprechen

dagegen verstoßen

sich dagegen wehren

dagegen ankämpfen

dagegen halten

dagegen lehnen

dagegen prallen

Phrases Courantes

Ich bin dagegen.

— I am against it / I disagree.

Sollen wir gehen? - Ich bin dagegen.

Nichts dagegen!

— No objections! / I don't mind!

Darf ich mich setzen? - Nichts dagegen!

Was hast du dagegen?

— What do you have against it? / Why do you mind?

Ich will den roten Rock kaufen. - Was hast du dagegen?

Dagegen ist nichts einzuwenden.

— There's nothing to be said against that / It's fine.

Können wir morgen anfangen? - Dagegen ist nichts einzuwenden.

Dagegen lässt sich nichts machen.

— Nothing can be done about it.

Der Computer ist kaputt. Dagegen lässt sich nichts machen.

Dagegen sein

— To be opposed to something.

Er ist grundsätzlich dagegen.

Dagegen halten

— To counter an argument or offer resistance.

Sie hielt ihre eigene Meinung dagegen.

Dafür und dagegen

— Pros and cons.

Wir müssen das Dafür und Dagegen abwägen.

Dagegen verstoßen

— To violate a rule or law.

Das ist verboten, du verstößt dagegen.

Dagegen prallen

— To crash or hit against something.

Das Auto ist voll dagegen geprallt.

Souvent confondu avec

Dagegen vs gegen

Gegen is the preposition (needs a noun). Dagegen is the adverb (replaces the noun).

Dagegen vs gegenüber

Gegenüber means 'opposite' or 'across from'. Dagegen means 'against it' or 'by contrast'.

Dagegen vs hingegen

Hingegen is purely for contrast. Dagegen can mean contrast OR active opposition.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Dagegen ist kein Kraut gewachsen."

— There is no remedy for it; it's unavoidable or incurable.

Gegen Dummheit ist kein Kraut gewachsen.

informal/colloquial

"Sich mit Händen und Füßen dagegen wehren."

— To resist something with all one's might.

Er wehrte sich mit Händen und Füßen dagegen, die Überstunden zu machen.

informal

"Dagegen alt aussehen."

— To look poor or incompetent in comparison to something else.

Sein neues Handy ist toll; mein altes sieht dagegen alt aus.

slang

"Dagegen anstinken."

— To be unable to compete with or stand up against something/someone.

Gegen diesen Profi kann ich nicht anstinken.

slang

"Dagegen ist Hopfen und Malz verloren."

— Something is a lost cause.

Er lernt es nie, dagegen ist Hopfen und Malz verloren.

informal

"Dagegen halten"

— To offer a counter-argument or to bet against.

Ich halte dagegen, dass er es schafft.

neutral

"Nichts dagegen haben"

— To be okay with something (very common).

Hast du was dagegen, wenn ich rauche?

neutral

"Dagegen anrennen"

— To struggle in vain against something.

Er rennt gegen die Bürokratie an.

neutral

"Dagegen spricht nichts."

— There is no reason not to do it.

Können wir jetzt essen? - Dagegen spricht nichts.

neutral

"Dagegen ist nichts zu machen."

— It's a hopeless situation.

Der Zug ist weg, dagegen ist nichts zu machen.

neutral

Facile à confondre

Dagegen vs wider

Both mean against.

'Wider' is mostly used as a preposition in specific phrases or as a prefix. 'Dagegen' is a pronominal adverb.

Wider den Willen vs. Ich bin dagegen.

Dagegen vs entgegen

Both imply opposition.

'Entgegen' is a preposition meaning 'contrary to' or a prefix. 'Dagegen' is used to refer back to a concept.

Entgegen meiner Erwartung vs. Dagegen habe ich nichts.

Dagegen vs dawider

Archaic version of dagegen.

'Dawider' is almost never used in modern German except in very old texts or specific legal jargon.

N/A - use dagegen.

Dagegen vs wogegen

Both contain 'gegen'.

'Wogegen' is the question form or relative form (against which). 'Dagegen' is the statement form.

Wogegen protestierst du? Ich protestiere dagegen.

Dagegen vs dagegenüber

Not a word.

Learners often try to combine 'da' and 'gegenüber' incorrectly. The word is just 'gegenüber' or 'demgegenüber'.

Demgegenüber ist er klein.

Structures de phrases

Ich bin dagegen.

Subjekt + hat + nichts + dagegen.

Er hat nichts dagegen.

X ist A, Y dagegen ist B.

Hunde sind laut, Katzen dagegen sind leise.

Dagegen spricht, dass...

Dagegen spricht, dass es zu teuer ist.

Verb + dagegen (spatial).

Er stieß dagegen.

Sich dagegen wehren, zu + Infinitiv.

Sie wehrt sich dagegen, zu lügen.

Dagegen lässt sich anführen, dass...

Dagegen lässt sich anführen, dass die Umwelt leidet.

Dagegen nimmt sich X wie Y aus.

Dagegen nimmt sich sein Haus wie eine Hütte aus.

Famille de mots

Noms

Gegner (opponent)

Gegenteil (opposite)

Gegensatz (contrast)

Gegenwart (presence/present)

Verbes

entgegenstehen (to oppose)

gegenüberstellen (to contrast)

verstoßen (to violate)

Adjectifs

gegnerisch (opponent's)

gegenteilig (opposite)

gegensätzlich (contrary)

Apparenté

dafür

davon

damit

darüber

dazu

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely frequent in both spoken and written German.

Erreurs courantes

Ich bin gegen das. → Ich bin dagegen.
You cannot use 'gegen' + 'das' as a standalone phrase; the pronominal adverb 'dagegen' is required.
Dagegen ich habe etwas. → Dagegen habe ich etwas.
In German, the verb must be in the second position. If 'dagegen' is first, the verb comes next.
Ich bin dargegen. → Ich bin dagegen.
The 'r' is only added to 'da-' if the preposition starts with a vowel. 'Gegen' starts with a consonant.
Ich bin dagegen ihn. → Ich bin gegen ihn.
'Dagegen' already contains the 'it'. You cannot use it with another pronoun referring to a person.
Er ist dagegen gegenüber. → Er ist gegenüber.
'Dagegen' and 'gegenüber' are different words. Don't combine them to mean 'opposite'.

Astuces

Avoid 'Gegen das'

Whenever you want to say 'against that', use 'dagegen'. It's a hallmark of natural German.

The Stress Rule

Always stress the 'GE' in 'dagegen'. Stressing the 'da' sounds like you're pointing at a specific location.

Vary Your Transitions

Instead of using 'aber' every time, use 'dagegen' in the middle of a sentence to show contrast.

Learn the Pair

Always learn 'dafür' and 'dagegen' together as they are used constantly in debates.

Listen for the 'D'

In fast speech, 'dagegen' can sound like 'd'gegn'. Listen for that hard 'G' sound.

Remedy Phrase

Learn 'Dagegen ist kein Kraut gewachsen' to sound like a native when talking about hopeless situations.

Argumentation

Use 'Was spricht dagegen?' to invite others to share their concerns in a professional way.

Bumping into things

If you hit a table, say 'Ich bin dagegen gestoßen' to explain what happened.

Violations

In formal contexts, use 'dagegen verstoßen' for rules and laws.

Dagegen vs Hingegen

Use 'dagegen' for a stronger, more oppositional contrast than 'hingegen'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'DA-GEGEN' as 'THAT-AGAINST'. If someone says something and you are 'THAT-AGAINST', you disagree.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant 'NO' button. When you press it, you are 'dagegen'. Or imagine a person leaning against a wall ('da').

Word Web

Opposition Contrast Wall Vote No Comparison Collision Rules

Défi

Try to use 'dagegen' three times today: once to disagree, once to compare two things, and once to describe a physical position.

Origine du mot

Formed in Middle High German as a combination of 'da' (there/that) and 'gegen' (against). 'Gegen' comes from Old High German 'gagan', meaning 'towards' or 'against'.

Sens originel : Toward that or against that.

Germanic.

Contexte culturel

None, but be aware that being 'grundsätzlich dagegen' (fundamentally against everything) can be perceived as being difficult or obstructive.

English speakers often use 'on the other hand' for contrast, whereas Germans use 'dagegen' much more frequently in both speech and writing.

The 'Dagegen' movement in German politics. Punk songs with 'Dagegen' in the title (expressing rebellion). Legal terminology in the 'Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch' (BGB).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Politics

Dagegen stimmen
Widerstand dagegen
Einspruch dagegen
Dagegen protestieren

Daily Planning

Nichts dagegen haben
Ich bin dagegen
Was spricht dagegen?
Hast du was dagegen?

Comparison

X ist ..., Y dagegen ist ...
Im Vergleich dazu ... dagegen
Dagegen wirkt ...
Dagegen ist ...

Accidents

Dagegen laufen
Dagegen fahren
Dagegen prallen
Dagegen stoßen

Law

Dagegen verstoßen
Rechtliche Schritte dagegen
Klage dagegen
Einwand dagegen

Amorces de conversation

"Bist du eher dafür oder dagegen, dass man in der Stadt keine Autos mehr erlaubt?"

"Hast du etwas dagegen, wenn wir heute Abend Pizza bestellen?"

"Was spricht deiner Meinung nach dagegen, ein Jahr im Ausland zu verbringen?"

"Ich finde den neuen Film toll, was hast du eigentlich dagegen?"

"In meiner Heimat ist es heiß, wie ist das Wetter dagegen hier im Winter?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine Entscheidung, bei der du anfangs dagegen warst, aber später deine Meinung geändert hast.

Vergleiche zwei Städte, die du kennst. Benutze 'dagegen', um die Unterschiede zu beschreiben.

Gibt es ein Gesetz, gegen das viele Menschen verstoßen? Warum sind sie dagegen?

Was hast du absolut dagegen, wenn Leute sich in der Öffentlichkeit so verhalten?

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du körperlich gegen etwas gestoßen bist. Was ist passiert?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, in German you must use 'dagegen' when referring to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. 'Gegen es' is grammatically incorrect.

'Dagegen' is more versatile and can mean physical contact or active opposition. 'Hingegen' is only used for contrast (on the other hand) and is more formal.

It usually follows the verb or comes at the end of a clause, but it can start a sentence for emphasis (remember the V2 rule!).

It is neutral. It can be used in very casual speech ('Dagegen!') and in very formal writing ('Dagegen spricht...').

No. For people, use 'gegen' + pronoun (e.g., gegen ihn, gegen sie). 'Dagegen' is for things and ideas.

The most common way is 'Ich habe nichts dagegen.'

No, for 'opposite' in a spatial sense (across the street), use 'gegenüber'.

The opposite is 'dafür' (for it).

Because 'gegen' starts with a consonant. You only add 'r' (making it 'dar-') if the preposition starts with a vowel (like 'darauf').

Yes, but you must put the verb in the second position. Example: 'Dagegen bin ich entschieden.'

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