rechts
/ʁɛçt͡s/
The English phrase "on the right" is translated into German as rechts.
rechts is used to describe the position or direction of something located on the right side. Its opposite is links, which means "on the left".
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adverb of direction, such as when telling someone to turn to the right, the form remains rechts.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁɛçts/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid confusing the direction with the word for "correct" or "law". English speakers sometimes mistakenly add an -s to the end of recht when they actually mean the direction rechts.
Did you know?
- In some German dialects, describing a person as links can imply they are acting 'shifty' or dishonest, playing on the historical association of the right side with 'correctness'.
- The word rechts is closely tied to the German word for 'law', Recht, because early Germanic cultures viewed the right hand as the 'lawful' hand for swearing oaths.
- The word rechts was formed by adding a specific adverbial suffix to the root recht, which originally meant 'straight' or 'just'.
Examples in context
- Die Metro ist rechts!The metro is on the right!This example shows how to use rechts to indicate the location of the metro.Tatoeba #1773069 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1098331 by cntrational
- Tom ist der Junge rechts.Tom is the boy on the right.This example uses rechts to identify which boy is on the right.Tatoeba #4896345 by Zaghawa, translation #3343631 by Hybrid
- Sein Haus liegt dort rechts.His house is there on the right.This example uses rechts to describe the location of a house.Tatoeba #2369661 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2258677 by _undertoad
- Der Eingang befindet sich auf der rechten Seite des Gebäudes.The entrance is on the right side of the building.
- Nimm die nächste Straße nach rechts.Take the next street to the right.
- Du findest das Café auf der rechten Seite der Straße.You will find the café on the right side of the street.
- Die Bank ist da drüben rechts neben dem Supermarkt.The bank is over there on the right next to the supermarket.
- Geh die Straße entlang und halte dich rechts, hinter der großen Kirche.Walk along the street and keep to the right, behind the large church.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are looking for a specific room in a hallway.
- HannahWo ist das Büro von Herrn Weber?Where is Mr. Weber's office?
- FelixDas Büro ist direkt hier rechts.The office is right here on the right.
- HannahDanke, Felix!Thanks, Felix!
- FelixGerne, Hannah.You're welcome, Hannah.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rechts, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rechts, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
