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A2 verb #4,500 le plus courant 13 min de lecture

streiten

Top 4,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces streiten en 30 secondes

Explication streiten in your Level:

At the A1 level, the verb 'streiten' is introduced as a basic action word for disagreement. Learners focus on the simplest reflexive form: 'Wir streiten.' (We argue). The goal is to recognize the word in simple contexts, such as family or friends. Grammar is kept minimal, usually just the present tense. You might learn that 'Streit' is the noun, and it is masculine ('der Streit'). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex prepositions or past tense forms. Just knowing that 'streiten' means 'to argue' is enough. You might hear it in a classroom when a teacher says 'Nicht streiten!' to students. It is a vital word for expressing basic social boundaries. Even at A1, it is helpful to notice the reflexive pronoun 'sich', even if you don't fully understand the reflexive system yet. You learn it as a fixed phrase like 'Sie streiten sich.'

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At the A2 level, you begin to expand the use of 'streiten' by adding details. You learn the crucial construction 'sich streiten mit' (with someone) and 'sich streiten über' (about something). This requires a basic understanding of cases: 'mit' takes the dative, and 'über' takes the accusative. You also start to use the verb in the Perfekt tense, which is 'hat gestritten'. This is a strong verb, so the vowel change from 'ei' to 'i' is an important milestone in your grammar journey. You are expected to describe simple conflicts, like arguing about the weather, chores, or money. You also learn to distinguish 'streiten' from 'diskutieren', realizing that 'streiten' is more emotional and 'diskutieren' is more about exchange of ideas. Your sentences become longer and more descriptive. Instead of just 'They argue', you can now say 'They are arguing about the loud music.'

At the B1 level, you master the nuances of 'streiten'. you learn to use it in subordinate clauses and with modal verbs: 'Ich möchte nicht mit dir streiten.' (I don't want to argue with you). You also start to use more specific prepositions like 'um' (to fight over/for something specific). The Präteritum form 'stritt' becomes relevant for reading comprehension, as you encounter it in stories and news articles. You also learn related words like 'der Streitpunkt' (the point of contention) or 'die Streitigkeit' (the dispute). You can now engage in conversations about conflict resolution and express your opinion on whether arguing is healthy or not. You understand that 'streiten' can also mean 'to struggle for a cause' (streiten für). This level is about moving beyond simple descriptions to explaining the 'why' and 'how' of a disagreement.

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At the B2 level, 'streiten' is used in more abstract and professional contexts. You use it to describe societal debates, legal battles, and complex interpersonal dynamics. You learn to use the word with more sophisticated adverbs like 'heftig' (vehemently), 'erbittert' (bitterly), or 'unnötig' (unnecessarily). You also become familiar with the noun 'die Auseinandersetzung' as a higher-level synonym. You can follow a complex debate on television where experts 'streiten' over economic policies. You also learn the prefix version 'abstreiten' (to deny) and 'bestreiten' (to dispute/finance), understanding how prefixes change the root meaning. Your ability to use 'streiten' correctly in various registers—from slang to formal German—is a key indicator of your B2 proficiency. You can also use the passive voice or 'man' constructions to talk about general conflict.

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At the C1 level, you use 'streiten' to discuss philosophical, legal, and academic topics with high precision. You understand the historical and cultural connotations of the word, such as the 'Historikerstreit' (a famous debate among German historians). You can use 'streiten' in complex grammatical structures, including the Konjunktiv II for hypothetical scenarios: 'Wenn sie weniger streiten würden, wären sie glücklicher.' You also master idiomatic expressions and metaphors involving the word. You can write essays analyzing the 'Streitkultur' in Germany and compare it with other cultures. Your vocabulary includes very specific synonyms like 'polemisieren' or 'hadern'. You are able to distinguish between 'um etwas streiten' (fighting for a prize) and 'über etwas streiten' (arguing about a topic) with perfect accuracy. At this level, 'streiten' is a tool for nuanced social and intellectual analysis.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'streiten' and all its derivatives. You can appreciate the word's use in classical literature, poetry, and complex legal texts. You understand the subtle difference between 'sich streiten', 'streiten', and 'widerstreiten' (to conflict/contradict). You can engage in high-level debates where 'streiten' is used as a rhetorical device. You are familiar with obscure idioms and can use the word to convey irony, sarcasm, or deep emotional resonance. You can analyze the etymological roots of the word and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. Whether you are reading a Supreme Court ruling or a contemporary novel, you grasp every nuance of the conflict being described. 'Streiten' is no longer just a verb you use; it is a concept you can manipulate to express the finest shades of human disagreement and intellectual struggle.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

streiten en 30 secondes

Streiten is a German verb meaning to argue or quarrel verbally.
It is a strong verb: streiten, stritt, hat gestritten.
It is usually reflexive: sich mit jemandem über etwas streiten.
It is used in contexts ranging from family bickers to legal disputes.

The German verb streiten is a fundamental pillar of interpersonal communication, representing the act of engaging in a verbal conflict, a disagreement, or a full-blown quarrel. At its core, it describes the friction that occurs when two or more parties hold opposing views and express them with varying degrees of intensity. Unlike the English word 'fight', which can imply physical violence, streiten usually remains within the realm of verbal exchange, though it carries a significant emotional weight. In daily German life, you will encounter this word in almost every social context, from the playground where children bicker over toys to the high-stakes environment of a courtroom where lawyers engage in a legal 'Rechtsstreit'. The beauty of the word lies in its versatility; it can be used reflexively as sich streiten to describe a mutual argument between people, or transitively in specific contexts. Understanding when to use it requires a grasp of the emotional temperature of the conversation. If you are having a civilized debate about politics, you might use 'diskutieren', but the moment voices are raised and the tone becomes personal or hostile, you have moved into the territory of streiten.

The Reflexive Nature: In most everyday scenarios involving people, the verb is reflexive: 'Wir streiten uns'. This indicates a reciprocal action where both parties are participating in the disagreement.
The Objective Conflict: When used without the reflexive pronoun, 'streiten' often takes on a more abstract or professional meaning, such as 'streiten für ein Ziel' (to fight/struggle for a goal) or in legal contexts like 'vor Gericht streiten'.

Meine Nachbarn streiten sich jeden Abend über den Lärm im Treppenhaus.

Die Politiker streiten seit Stunden über die neue Steuerreform.

Emotional Intensity: The word can range from a minor bicker (zanken) to a serious, relationship-ending conflict. Context clues like 'heftig' (violently/heavily) or 'ständig' (constantly) help define the severity.

Es hat keinen Sinn, wegen solcher Kleinigkeiten zu streiten.

Sie stritten sich so laut, dass die Polizei gerufen wurde.

Grammar Focus: Prepositions: The most common prepositions used with streiten are 'mit' (with someone) and 'über' (about something). Note that 'über' always triggers the accusative case in this context.

Warum streitet ihr euch immer mit euren Eltern?

Continuing through the nuances, it is important to distinguish 'streiten' from 'bekämpfen'. While 'bekämpfen' implies a struggle to eliminate an opponent, 'streiten' is about the exchange of words and the clash of opinions. In academic circles, 'streiten' can even have a positive connotation, as in 'um die Wahrheit streiten' (to strive/argue for the truth), suggesting a rigorous intellectual pursuit. This multi-layered nature makes it a vital word for any learner who wishes to express complex social interactions and personal boundaries in German.

Using 'streiten' correctly in a sentence involves more than just knowing its meaning; it requires a precise understanding of German syntax, case usage, and the reflexive system. The most frequent construction you will encounter is the reflexive form: sich mit jemandem (Dativ) über etwas (Akkusativ) streiten. This formula is the skeleton of almost every sentence describing a personal argument. For example, if you want to say 'I am arguing with my brother about the car', you would say: 'Ich streite mich mit meinem Bruder über das Auto'. Notice how 'meinem Bruder' is in the dative case because of the preposition 'mit', and 'das Auto' is in the accusative case because of the preposition 'über'. This structure is rigid and provides a clear framework for the listener to understand who is involved and what the conflict is about.

Conjugation in Present Tense: ich streite mich, du streitest dich, er/sie/es streitet sich, wir streiten uns, ihr streitet euch, sie/Sie streiten sich. The reflexive pronoun must match the subject in person and number.

Wir streiten uns selten, aber wenn wir es tun, dann richtig.

Hast du dich gestern mit deinem Chef gestritten?

The Past Tense (Präteritum): The Präteritum (stritt) is mostly used in written narratives or formal reports. 'Sie stritten stundenlang über die Verteilung des Erbes.' In spoken German, the Perfekt (hat gestritten) is much more common.

Er stritt jede Verantwortung für den Unfall ab.

Es bringt nichts, sich über vergossene Milch zu streiten.

Using 'um' instead of 'über': While 'über' is for the topic of the argument, 'um' is often used when the argument is about possession or a specific prize. 'Die Erben streiten um das Haus.' (The heirs are fighting over the house.)

Zwei Hunde streiten sich um einen Knochen.

Furthermore, 'streiten' can be used in the passive voice in very specific, often legal or formal, contexts, though this is rare for A2 learners. A more relevant advanced usage is 'sich herumstreiten', which implies a long-winded, annoying, and perhaps fruitless argument. When you use 'streiten' in a sentence, you are painting a picture of social dynamics. You are defining the borders between individuals and the clash of their realities. Whether it's a 'Wortgefecht' (a battle of words) or a simple 'Auseinandersetzung' (dispute), 'streiten' remains the core verb that anchors the expression of human disagreement in the German language.

The word 'streiten' is ubiquitous in German-speaking environments, echoing through various layers of society. You will hear it in the intimate setting of a home, where parents might tell their children, 'Hört auf zu streiten!' (Stop arguing!). In this context, it often refers to the petty bickering common among siblings. Moving to the public sphere, 'streiten' is a staple of news broadcasts and political talk shows. Moderators frequently introduce segments by saying, 'Heute streiten unsere Gäste über die Klimapolitik.' Here, the word carries a more formal, intellectual weight, suggesting a debate rather than a personal quarrel.

In Literature and Media: German literature is filled with 'Streitszenen'. From the classic dramas of Schiller and Goethe to modern soap operas, the act of 'streiten' provides the necessary conflict to drive a plot forward. You will often hear characters exclaim, 'Ich will nicht mehr mit dir streiten!' (I don't want to argue with you anymore!)
In the Workplace: In professional settings, the word is used to describe conflicts between departments or colleagues. A manager might say, 'Wir müssen aufhören, über Kompetenzen zu streiten, und anfangen zu arbeiten.' (We need to stop arguing about competencies and start working.)

In der Talkshow streiten die Experten über die wirtschaftliche Lage.

Die Kinder streiten sich schon wieder um das letzte Stück Kuchen.

Legal and Formal Contexts: In legal German, 'der Rechtsstreit' (lawsuit/legal dispute) is a common noun. You might hear a news report say, 'Die beiden Firmen streiten vor dem Oberlandesgericht.' This indicates a formal, legal battle over rights or money.

Es ist traurig, wenn Familien vor Gericht um das Erbe streiten.

Warum müssen wir immer über das Gleiche streiten?

In the Streets: You might overhear a couple in a café having a 'Streit'. If you hear phrases like 'Lass uns nicht hier streiten' (Let's not argue here), it's a sign that the disagreement has become public enough to cause embarrassment.

Sie streiten sich oft, aber sie versöhnen sich auch schnell wieder.

In summary, 'streiten' is not just a word for anger; it is a word for engagement. Whether it is the constructive 'Streitkultur' (culture of debate) that Germans pride themselves on, or a simple domestic tiff, the verb is central to the German experience of navigating differences. By paying attention to where and how it is used, you gain insight into the social fabric of German-speaking countries, where clear, direct communication—even when it involves disagreement—is often highly valued.

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers learning 'streiten' is the confusion between 'streiten' and 'diskutieren'. In English, 'to argue' can mean both 'to have a quarrel' and 'to present an argument in a debate'. In German, these are strictly separated. If you say 'Wir haben über das Buch gestritten', a German listener will think you had a nasty fight about it. If you meant that you had an intellectual exchange of ideas, you should have used 'diskutieren'. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the intended tone of your conversation. Another common mistake is forgetting the reflexive pronoun. Beginners often say 'Ich streite mit ihm', which is technically understandable but sounds incomplete or overly formal in a personal context. The natural way is 'Ich streite mich mit ihm'.

Preposition Pitfalls: Many learners use 'von' or 'für' when they mean 'about'. Remember: 'über' (plus accusative) is the standard for the topic of the argument. Using the wrong preposition can change the meaning entirely or make the sentence nonsensical.
Conjugation Errors: Because 'streiten' is a strong verb, learners often try to conjugate it regularly (e.g., 'gestreitet' instead of 'gestritten'). This is a hallmark of an A1/A2 level mistake. Practice the sequence: streiten - stritt - gestritten until it becomes second nature.

Falsch: Wir haben über den Film gestreitet. Richtig: Wir haben über den Film gestritten.

Falsch: Warum streitet sich ihr? Richtig: Warum streitet ihr euch?

Case Confusion: After 'über', you must use the accusative. 'Wir streiten über den Plan' (masculine, accusative). Using the dative 'über dem Plan' would imply you are physically standing over a map while arguing, which is rarely what you mean.

Sie streiten sich um des Kaisers Bart (an idiom for arguing about nothing).

Er streitet alles ab, was man ihm vorwirft.

The 'Fight' Fallacy: English speakers often translate 'to fight for something' as 'streiten für etwas'. While this is possible in German, 'kämpfen für etwas' is often more appropriate if the effort is physical or very intense. 'Streiten' remains primarily verbal or legal.

Wir streiten für eine bessere Welt (here, it means advocating/arguing for).

Finally, be careful with the noun 'der Streit'. It is masculine. Learners often forget the gender or use it with the wrong verb. You 'have' a Streit (einen Streit haben) or you 'start' a Streit (einen Streit anfangen). Avoiding these common pitfalls will not only make your German more accurate but will also ensure that you are communicating your emotions and intentions clearly, preventing unnecessary real-life 'Streit' caused by linguistic misunderstandings.

To truly master 'streiten', you need to know its neighbors in the German vocabulary. German is a language of precision, and there are many words that describe different types of conflict. If you want to describe a minor, perhaps childish argument, the verb zanken or sich kabbeln is much better. These words imply a lack of seriousness. On the other hand, if the disagreement is very formal and involves an exchange of arguments, diskutieren or debattieren are the appropriate choices. For a serious, often long-term conflict or a legal dispute, the noun die Auseinandersetzung is frequently used as a more sophisticated alternative to 'der Streit'.

Streiten vs. Zanken: 'Streiten' is the general term. 'Zanken' is specifically for petty, annoying bickering, often used for children or small-minded adults. 'Die Kinder zanken sich um die Fernbedienung.'
Streiten vs. Kämpfen: 'Streiten' is verbal/legal. 'Kämpfen' is physical or implies a much higher level of exertion and struggle. You 'kämpfen' in a war, but you 'streiten' in a living room.

Anstatt zu streiten, sollten wir sachlich diskutieren.

Sie haben sich heftig verkracht (a strong colloquial way to say they had a falling out).

Streiten vs. Hadern: 'Hadern' is a more poetic or internal form of 'streiten'. You 'hadern mit dem Schicksal' (struggle/quarrel with fate). It's not a loud argument, but a deep, lingering dissatisfaction.

Er hadert mit seiner Entscheidung, den Job gekündigt zu haben.

Die Parteien sind sich uneinig über die Kosten des Projekts.

Streiten vs. Keifen: 'Keifen' is a very negative word meaning to nag or shriek in an argument. It is often used in a sexist way to describe women arguing, so use it with extreme caution and awareness of its connotations.

Hör auf, mich so anzukeifen!

Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your language to the specific situation. Whether you are describing a 'Wortgefecht' (a witty exchange of barbs), a 'Krach' (a loud, sudden argument), or a 'Disput' (a formal disagreement), having these alternatives at your fingertips will make your German sound much more sophisticated and nuanced. You move from simply saying 'people are fighting' to describing the exact texture of the human interaction.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word originally had a more physical meaning related to 'striving' or 'struggling' before it became primarily associated with verbal conflict.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈʃtʁaɪtn̩/

US /ˈʃtʁaɪtn̩/

The stress is on the first syllable: STREI-ten.

Rime avec

reiten gleiten weiten Seiten Zeiten leiten breiten meiden

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'st' as 's' instead of 'sh'.
Pronouncing 'ei' as 'ay' instead of 'eye'.
Not making the 'r' uvular.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, though past forms (stritt) can be tricky.

Écriture 4/5

Difficult due to reflexive pronouns and prepositional cases (mit/über).

Expression orale 4/5

Hard to use fluently while managing reflexive pronouns and strong verb conjugation.

Écoute 3/5

Usually clear, but prefixes like 'ab-' or 'um-' can change the meaning quickly.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

sich mit über haben nicht

Apprends ensuite

diskutieren versöhnen die Auseinandersetzung abstreiten bestreiten

Avancé

polemisieren disputieren hadern widerstreiten umstritten

Grammaire à connaître

Reflexive Verbs

Ich streite MICH.

Prepositions with fixed cases (mit + Dativ)

Ich streite mit MEINEM Bruder.

Prepositions with fixed cases (über + Akkusativ)

Wir streiten über DEN Film.

Strong Verb Conjugation (ei -> i)

Er stritt (past).

Infinitive with 'zu'

Es ist schwer, nicht zu streiten.

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Exemples par niveau

Die Kinder streiten.

The children are arguing.

Simple present tense, plural subject.

Wir streiten nicht.

We do not argue.

Negative sentence with 'nicht'.

Warum streitet ihr?

Why are you (plural) arguing?

Question with 'warum' and 'ihr'.

Sie streiten sich.

They are arguing.

Reflexive use with 'sich'.

Hör auf zu streiten!

Stop arguing!

Imperative with 'zu' + infinitive.

Ich will nicht streiten.

I don't want to argue.

Modal verb 'wollen' + infinitive.

Meine Eltern streiten oft.

My parents argue often.

Use of the adverb 'oft'.

Streitet ihr schon wieder?

Are you arguing again?

Question with 'schon wieder' (already again).

Sie streiten sich mit dem Nachbarn.

They are arguing with the neighbor.

Reflexive + 'mit' + Dative.

Wir streiten uns über das Wetter.

We are arguing about the weather.

Reflexive + 'über' + Accusative.

Habt ihr euch gestern gestritten?

Did you argue yesterday?

Perfekt tense of a strong verb.

Er streitet sich immer mit seiner Schwester.

He always argues with his sister.

Reflexive pronoun 'sich' for 3rd person.

Warum streitet ihr euch um das Geld?

Why are you arguing over the money?

'um' + Accusative for a specific object.

Sie haben sich wegen einer Kleinigkeit gestritten.

They argued because of a triviality.

'wegen' + Genitive (or Dative in spoken German).

Ich streite mich nicht gern.

I don't like to argue.

Use of 'gern' with a reflexive verb.

Mein Freund und ich streiten uns selten.

My friend and I rarely argue.

Compound subject with plural reflexive pronoun.

Es ist sinnlos, über Politik zu streiten.

It is senseless to argue about politics.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Wenn sie streiten, gehen sie in verschiedene Zimmer.

When they argue, they go into different rooms.

Conditional 'wenn' clause.

Sie stritten lange über die richtige Entscheidung.

They argued for a long time about the right decision.

Präteritum (simple past) of 'streiten'.

Ich versuche, nicht mit meinem Chef zu streiten.

I try not to argue with my boss.

Verb 'versuchen' + 'zu' infinitive.

Wir streiten für bessere Arbeitsbedingungen.

We are fighting/arguing for better working conditions.

'streiten für' (to struggle for a cause).

Sie hat sich heftig mit ihrer besten Freundin gestritten.

She had a heated argument with her best friend.

Adverb 'heftig' modifying the verb.

Es gibt immer jemanden, der gerne streitet.

There is always someone who likes to argue.

Relative clause with 'der'.

Bevor wir uns streiten, sollten wir tief durchatmen.

Before we argue, we should take a deep breath.

Temporal 'bevor' clause.

Die Experten streiten über die Ursachen der Krise.

The experts are arguing about the causes of the crisis.

Plural subject with 'über' + Accusative.

Man kann darüber streiten, ob das Kunst ist.

One can argue about whether that is art.

'darüber' as a prepositional adverb introducing a clause.

Sie streiten sich erbittert um das Sorgerecht.

They are fighting bitterly over custody.

Adverb 'erbittert' (bitterly).

Anstatt zu streiten, könnten wir einen Kompromiss suchen.

Instead of arguing, we could look for a compromise.

'anstatt zu' construction.

Er streitet ab, das Geld genommen zu haben.

He denies having taken the money.

Prefix verb 'abstreiten' (to deny).

Die Parteien streiten seit Jahren vor Gericht.

The parties have been litigating in court for years.

'vor Gericht streiten' (to litigate).

Es lässt sich nicht streiten, dass er talentiert ist.

It cannot be disputed that he is talented.

'Es lässt sich nicht streiten' (It is indisputable).

Sie haben sich wegen einer Nichtigkeit völlig verkracht.

They completely fell out over a nothingness.

Colloquial synonym 'verkrachen'.

Philosophen streiten seit Jahrhunderten über diese Frage.

Philosophers have been debating this question for centuries.

Continuous action expressed by present tense + 'seit'.

Über Geschmack lässt sich bekanntlich nicht streiten.

As is well known, there is no accounting for taste.

Idiomatic expression 'über Geschmack lässt sich nicht streiten'.

Die Erben streiten um jeden Quadratmeter des Grundstücks.

The heirs are fighting over every square meter of the plot.

'um' indicating the object of the dispute.

Es ist müßig, darüber zu streiten, wer angefangen hat.

It is futile to argue about who started it.

Adjective 'müßig' (idle/futile).

Sie streiten für die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte.

They are fighting for the observance of human rights.

Abstract usage of 'streiten für'.

In diesem Punkt müssen wir uns wohl streiten.

On this point, we must apparently disagree.

Ironical or polite way to acknowledge disagreement.

Der Historikerstreit prägte die deutsche Debattenkultur.

The 'Historikerstreit' shaped the German culture of debate.

Compound noun 'Historikerstreit'.

Er stritt die Vorwürfe mit Vehemenz ab.

He denied the allegations with vehemence.

'abstreiten' with a noun phrase.

Die Gelehrten streiten um die korrekte Interpretation des Textes.

The scholars are disputing the correct interpretation of the text.

Formal subject 'Gelehrten'.

Ihr unversöhnliches Streiten führte letztlich zum Bruch.

Their irreconcilable arguing ultimately led to the rupture.

Nominalized verb 'das Streiten'.

Man mag darüber streiten, inwieweit dies moralisch vertretbar ist.

One may argue to what extent this is morally justifiable.

Subjunctive 'mag' + 'darüber streiten'.

Sie streiten sich bis aufs Messer.

They are fighting to the death (idiomatic).

Idiom 'bis aufs Messer streiten'.

Es widerstreitet meiner Natur, unnötig zu streiten.

It goes against my nature to argue unnecessarily.

Verb 'widerstreiten' (to conflict with).

In der Rechtswissenschaft wird erbittert über diesen Paragrafen gestritten.

In legal science, there is a bitter dispute over this paragraph.

Passive voice construction 'wird gestritten'.

Sie streiten um des Kaisers Bart, während die Welt untergeht.

They are arguing over trifles while the world ends.

Idiom 'um des Kaisers Bart streiten'.

Die dialektische Methode erfordert das Streiten um die Wahrheit.

The dialectical method requires striving for the truth.

Philosophical context.

Collocations courantes

heftig streiten

ständig streiten

über Politik streiten

um Geld streiten

vor Gericht streiten

sinnlos streiten

gerne streiten

miteinander streiten

wegen Kleinigkeiten streiten

um das Erbe streiten

Phrases Courantes

Hör auf zu streiten!

— A command to stop arguing immediately.

Hör auf zu streiten, es reicht!

Wir streiten uns nie.

— A statement indicating a peaceful relationship.

Mein Mann und ich streiten uns nie.

Es gibt keinen Grund zu streiten.

— Suggesting that a conflict is unnecessary.

Beruhig dich, es gibt keinen Grund zu streiten.

Lass uns nicht streiten.

— A plea to maintain peace.

Bitte, lass uns heute nicht streiten.

Sie streiten wie Katz und Hund.

— They argue constantly and fiercely.

Die Geschwister streiten wie Katz und Hund.

Wer streitet, verliert.

— A proverb suggesting that conflict leads to loss.

Denk daran: Wer streitet, verliert.

Darüber lässt sich streiten.

— That is a matter of opinion/debatable.

Ob das der beste Weg ist? Darüber lässt sich streiten.

Sich um des Kaisers Bart streiten.

— To argue about completely unimportant things.

Ihr streitet euch mal wieder um des Kaisers Bart.

Einen Streit schlichten.

— To settle or mediate a dispute.

Der Lehrer musste den Streit schlichten.

Im Streit liegen.

— To be in an ongoing state of conflict with someone.

Sie liegen seit Jahren im Streit.

Souvent confondu avec

streiten vs diskutieren

Diskutieren is objective and calm; streiten is emotional and angry.

streiten vs kämpfen

Kämpfen is physical or very high effort; streiten is verbal.

streiten vs abstreiten

Abstreiten means to deny; streiten means to argue.

Expressions idiomatiques

"sich um des Kaisers Bart streiten"

— To argue about trivial, insignificant matters that don't matter.

Warum regst du dich so auf? Wir streiten uns hier um des Kaisers Bart.

literary/common

"bis aufs Messer streiten"

— To fight or argue extremely fiercely and without compromise.

Die beiden Politiker streiten sich im Fernsehen bis aufs Messer.

journalistic

"sich in den Haaren liegen"

— To be constantly arguing or in a state of conflict.

Die Nachbarn liegen sich ständig in den Haaren.

informal

"das Kriegsbeil begraben"

— To end a long-standing argument (bury the hatchet).

Es wird Zeit, dass wir endlich das Kriegsbeil begraben.

informal

"über Geschmack lässt sich nicht streiten"

— There is no accounting for taste; everyone has their own preference.

Dir gefällt das Kleid nicht? Tja, über Geschmack lässt sich nicht streiten.

proverbial

"einen Streit vom Zaun brechen"

— To start an argument out of nowhere or for no good reason.

Er versucht ständig, einen Streit vom Zaun zu brechen.

common

"sich mit Händen und Füßen wehren"

— To resist or argue against something with everything one has.

Sie hat sich mit Händen und Füßen gegen die neue Regelung gestritten.

informal

"ins Wort fallen"

— To interrupt someone during an argument.

Fall mir nicht ständig ins Wort, wenn wir streiten!

common

"den Kürzeren ziehen"

— To lose an argument or come out worse.

Am Ende habe ich im Streit den Kürzeren gezogen.

informal

"ein Machtwort sprechen"

— To end an argument by using one's authority.

Der Chef musste ein Machtwort sprechen, damit sie aufhören zu streiten.

formal

Facile à confondre

streiten vs bestreiten

Same root.

Bestreiten means to dispute a claim or to finance something.

Er bestreitet die Kosten.

streiten vs widerstreiten

Same root.

Widerstreiten means to conflict with or contradict (abstract).

Das widerstreitet meinen Prinzipien.

streiten vs verstreiten

Sounds similar.

This word does not exist in standard German.

N/A

streiten vs zerstreiten

Same root.

Sich zerstreiten means to have such a big fight that the relationship ends.

Die Freunde haben sich zerstreit.

streiten vs umstreiten

Same root.

Usually used as an adjective 'umstritten' (controversial).

Das ist ein umstrittenes Thema.

Structures de phrases

Subjekt + streitet.

Die Kinder streiten.

Subjekt + streitet + sich + mit + Dativ.

Er streitet sich mit seinem Vater.

Subjekt + streitet + sich + über + Akkusativ.

Sie streiten sich über das Geld.

Subjekt + hat + sich + gestritten.

Wir haben uns gestern gestritten.

Es ist + Adjektiv + zu + streiten.

Es ist dumm zu streiten.

Subjekt + streitet + ab, dass...

Er streitet ab, dass er da war.

Darüber lässt sich streiten, ob...

Darüber lässt sich streiten, ob das wahr ist.

Nominalisierung: Das Streiten um...

Das Streiten um die Macht begann.

Famille de mots

Noms

der Streit (argument)

die Streitigkeit (dispute)

der Streithahn (quarreler)

der Streitpunkt (point of contention)

Verbes

abstreiten (deny)

bestreiten (dispute/finance)

widerstreiten (conflict)

herumstreiten (bicker)

Adjectifs

streitlustig (argumentative)

umstritten (controversial)

unstreitig (indisputable)

Apparenté

der Rechtsstreit

die Streitkraft

streitbar

das Streitgespräch

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in daily speech and media.

Erreurs courantes

Ich habe über das Buch gestreitet. → Ich habe über das Buch gestritten.
'Streiten' is a strong verb and uses the '-en' ending in the past participle, not '-et'.
Wir streiten uns von das Auto. → Wir streiten uns über das Auto.
The correct preposition for 'about' in this context is 'über', not 'von'.
Warum streitet sich ihr? → Warum streitet ihr euch?
The reflexive pronoun must match the subject. For 'ihr', the pronoun is 'euch'.
Ich streite mit mein Bruder. → Ich streite mit meinem Bruder.
The preposition 'mit' requires the dative case. 'Mein' must become 'meinem'.
Wir diskutieren sehr laut und böse. → Wir streiten uns sehr laut.
'Diskutieren' implies a calm exchange. If it's loud and 'böse' (angry), 'streiten' is the correct verb.

Astuces

The Reflexive Rule

Always use the reflexive pronoun 'sich' (mich, dich, uns, euch) when describing a personal argument between people. It makes the sentence sound natural and complete.

Diskutieren vs. Streiten

If you are in a meeting or a classroom, use 'diskutieren'. If you use 'streiten', people will think there is a serious personal conflict or that someone is angry.

The 'ST' Sound

Remember that 'st' at the beginning of a word in German is always pronounced 'sh-t'. Practice saying 'SH-treiten' to sound like a native.

The Strong Verb Shift

Associate 'streiten' with other strong verbs like 'reiten' (to ride). They follow the same pattern: reiten-ritt-geritten and streiten-stritt-gestritten.

Directness

Don't be offended if a German says 'Lass uns darüber streiten'. They might just mean they want a vigorous debate, not that they are actually mad at you.

Preposition Choice

Use 'über' for 'about' 90% of the time. Only use 'um' if you are fighting over who gets to keep a specific physical object.

Softening the Blow

If you want to disagree without being too harsh, say 'Ich sehe das anders' (I see that differently) instead of starting a 'Streit'.

Prefix Awareness

If you hear 'abstreiten', the person is denying something. This is very common in crime shows and news reports.

Dative vs. Accusative

Remember: Mit = Dative (Who), Über = Accusative (What). 'Ich streite mit dem (D) Lehrer über die (A) Note.'

The Noun Form

The noun 'der Streit' is very common. You 'haben' (have) or 'schlichten' (settle) a Streit.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'STREIT' (straight) line that gets broken when people argue. Or imagine two people 'STRI-ding' toward each other to argue.

Association visuelle

Imagine two red-faced people shouting at each other over a small 'E' and 'I' (the vowels in streiten).

Word Web

Streit sich streiten gestritten stritt über mit um abstreiten

Défi

Try to describe the last time you had a 'Streit' using 'mit' and 'über' correctly in three sentences.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Middle High German 'striten' and Old High German 'stritan'.

Sens originel : Originally meant to exert oneself, to struggle, or to move forward with effort.

Germanic, related to the Dutch 'strijden' and Old Norse 'stríða'.

Contexte culturel

Avoid using 'keifen' as it can be perceived as sexist. Be aware that 'streiten' can sound quite harsh; 'diskutieren' is safer for professional settings.

English speakers often use 'fight' for both verbal and physical conflict, whereas Germans distinguish 'streiten' (verbal) from 'kämpfen' (physical/intense).

Der Historikerstreit (famous academic debate) Streit um den Bart des Kaisers (literary idiom) Loriot's sketches (often feature hilarious 'Streit' scenes)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Family

Hör auf zu streiten!
Wir streiten uns nie.
Warum streitet ihr?
Sich mit Geschwistern streiten.

Work

Über Kompetenzen streiten.
Ein fachlicher Streit.
Nicht mit dem Chef streiten.
Den Streit schlichten.

Politics

Über Gesetze streiten.
Ein politischer Streit.
Im Parlament streiten.
Öffentlich streiten.

Legal

Vor Gericht streiten.
Ein Rechtsstreit.
Um das Erbe streiten.
Ansprüche bestreiten.

Relationship

Sich heftig streiten.
Sich wieder versöhnen.
Über Kleinigkeiten streiten.
Ein Ehestreit.

Amorces de conversation

"Streitest du dich oft mit deinen Geschwistern?"

"Worüber streiten sich die Menschen in deinem Land am meisten?"

"Glaubst du, dass Streiten in einer Beziehung gesund ist?"

"Hast du dich schon mal mit einem Lehrer gestritten?"

"Wie schlichtest du einen Streit zwischen zwei Freunden?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe einen Streit, den du vor kurzem hattest. Worüber ging es?

Ist 'Streitkultur' in deiner Heimat wichtig? Warum oder warum tun die Menschen das?

Schreibe über ein Thema, über das man in deiner Familie oft streitet.

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn andere Menschen in deiner Nähe streiten?

Was ist der Unterschied zwischen 'streiten' und 'diskutieren' für dich?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not necessarily. While it usually implies anger, the concept of 'Streitkultur' suggests that healthy disagreement is vital for growth and democracy. However, in a personal context, it usually means a conflict that people want to resolve.

'Über' is used for the general topic (e.g., politics, the weather). 'Um' is used for a specific object or prize that both parties want (e.g., money, a toy, a house).

Yes, but it changes the nuance. 'Wir streiten' is more abstract or describes the general state. 'Wir streiten uns' is the standard way to describe a personal argument between people.

The most common way is 'Hört auf zu streiten!' or simply 'Nicht streiten!'.

Yes, it is. The forms are streiten (present), stritt (simple past), and hat gestritten (present perfect).

A 'Streithahn' (literally 'quarrel-rooster') is a person who loves to argue and starts fights easily.

Generally no. For physical fights, Germans use 'sich schlagen' or 'kämpfen'. 'Streiten' is almost always verbal.

'Mit' always takes the dative case. 'Ich streite mit meinem (dative) Freund.'

In this context, 'über' always takes the accusative case. 'Wir streiten über den (accusative) Plan.'

You can say 'Sie hatten einen Streit' or 'Sie haben sich gestritten'.

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