Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| richtig | /ˈʁɪçtɪç/ (standard) /ˈʁɪçtɪk/ (Austria, Southern Germany, Switzerland) |
| korrekt | /kɔˈʁɛkt/ /ko-/ |
Both words mean 'free from error', but they are used in different contexts. richtig is the most common way to state that something is factually right or true. In spoken German, you will often hear richtig? used as a tag question at the end of a sentence to confirm information, much like saying 'right?' or 'correct?' in English. Related verbs include ausbessern, korrigieren and richtigstellen, which all mean to make something become right that was previously wrong.
Which one should you use?
While both terms translate to 'correct', richtig is typically used for factual accuracy. In contrast, korrekt often implies adherence to rules, etiquette or formal standards, such as describing a way of behaving or a way of doing something that follows established social norms.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb richtigstellen is a separable verb used specifically when you want to correct a misunderstanding or a false statement to ensure the truth is known.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁɪçtɪç/
Did you know?
- You can use richtig as an adverb to emphasize a statement, essentially meaning 'really' or 'truly', such as saying something is 'richtig groß' (really big).
- While richtig is the standard for correctness, the phrase das stimmt is often used instead to say 'that is correct' when agreeing with a statement.
- The word richtig is derived from the root reht, which is the same root used for the German word for 'law' Recht.
Examples in context
- Der Satz ist richtig.The sentence is correct.This sentence demonstrates the use of richtig to describe a sentence that is correct.Tatoeba #4098514 by Esperantostern, translation #9440799 by shekitten
- Du heißt Tom, richtig?Your name is Tom, correct?This sentence shows how richtig can be used as a tag question to confirm a name.Tatoeba #5222997 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3392297 by CK
- Ist das nicht richtig?Isn't that correct?This sentence illustrates using richtig in a question to confirm correctness.Tatoeba #10015277 by wolfgangth, translation #2248678 by CK
- Die Antwort ist korrektThe answer is correct
- Ja, das ist richtigYes, that is correct
- 230 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are checking a math assignment.
- LukasIst meine Antwort richtig?Is my answer correct?
- LauraJa, die Rechnung ist richtig.Yes, the calculation is correct.
- LukasDas freut mich, Laura.That makes me happy, Laura.
- LauraDu hast alles richtig gemacht.You did everything correctly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “correct” translations and entries richtig, korrekt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries korrekt, richtig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
