diktieren

to dictate

verb dik-TEE-ren Rare

Origin: from Latin dictare

Also means

to speak text for someone else to write

Usage Note

diktieren means to speak text aloud for transcription, or to dictate terms. In schools, ein Diktat is a dictation exercise to test spelling. Also used figuratively: Bedingungen diktieren = to dictate conditions.

Examples

"Der Manager diktierte der Sekretärin einen Brief."

Natural Translation

The manager dictated a letter to the secretary.

Literal Translation

The manager dictated the secretary a letter.

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