Today’s word is super flexible. The German noun Reaktion means reaction — and just like in English, it covers everything from emotional responses to scientific phenomena. Whether you’re reacting to a joke, an insult, a surprise, or a chemical compound, Reaktion fits.
Reaktion is a feminine noun, so the correct article is die — die Reaktion. Still unsure about German noun genders? Our 5-minute video lesson explains the essentials quickly and clearly, without overcomplicating things.
Real conversations where Reaktion might come up
You’ll hear Reaktion in daily conversation, media, science class, and even sports commentary — whenever someone (or something) responds to a stimulus.
– Und wie war ihre Reaktion?
– Sie hat nur gelacht.
(“And how did she react?” – “She just laughed.”)
Beginner sample dialogue
Jan: Ich habe ihr das Geschenk gegeben.
Tina: Und? Was war ihre Reaktion?
Jan: Sie war total überrascht!
(Jan: I gave her the present.
Tina: And? What was her reaction?
Jan: She was totally surprised!)
Grammar in action: How to use Reaktion
Nominative: Die Reaktion war heftig.
(The reaction was intense.)Accusative: Ich habe die Reaktion nicht erwartet.
(I didn’t expect the reaction.)Dative: Mit der Reaktion hatte niemand gerechnet.
(No one had expected that reaction.)Genitive: Die Ursache der Reaktion war unklar.
(The cause of the reaction was unclear.)
Struggling with cases? Our grammar course is made for people who don’t like grammar — clear explanations, real examples, zero overwhelm.
Other ways to talk about reactions in German
die emotionale Reaktion – emotional reaction
die spontane Reaktion – spontaneous reaction
die allergische Reaktion – allergic reaction
die chemische Reaktion – chemical reaction
die politische Reaktion – political response
die übertriebene Reaktion – overreaction
And useful verbs:
reagieren (auf) – to react (to)
Ich reagiere nicht auf Provokationen.
(I don’t react to provocations.)
Word variations and tidbits
Reaktion comes from the same Latin root as its English counterpart, and it’s used in nearly the same way. It’s part of many compound words and phrases, especially in science, medicine, and emotional language.
Common collocations:
schnelle Reaktion – quick reaction
keine Reaktion zeigen – show no response
Reaktionszeit – reaction time
Reaktionsvermögen – ability to respond/react
In politics or news, Reaktion is used to describe how someone or a group responds to an event:
Die Reaktion der Regierung kam spät.
(The government’s response came late.)
Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Reaktion
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Raumschiff means?
What about Regen? One takes you to the stars… the other soaks your shoes.