reichen
/ˈʁaɪ̯çn̩/
The English verb 'pass' can be translated into German as reichen or weitergeben.
Meaning: to move or be moved from one place to another (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| reichen | /ˈʁaɪ̯çn̩/ /ˈʁaɪ̯çən/ |
| weitergeben | /ˈvaɪ̯tɐˌɡeːbən/ |
When you are asking someone to hand an object to you, use reichen. In a different context, reichen can also mean 'to be enough' or 'to suffice'. For specific situations, German uses different verbs: zuspielen is used for passing a ball in sports and bestehen is used when you pass an exam. Related nouns include Pass (an opening, road or track), Passierschein (a pass or license to go through), Dauerkarte (a pass or season ticket) and Zeitfahrkarte (a time-limited pass).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavarian German, the term vorbeikemma is used to mean 'to pass by.'
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past tense of reichen is reichte, and the past participle is gereicht.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁaɪ̯çn̩/
Did you know?
- The German word Pass refers to a mountain pass, but it is also the exact same word used for a passport.
- While reichen can mean 'to pass', it is also used in the formal expression die Hand reichen, which means 'to shake hands' or 'to offer a reconciliation'.
- The German verb reichen is a cognate of the English word 'reach'. While they look different now, they both stem from the same ancient root describing the act of stretching out to get something.
Examples in context
- Kannst du mir die Milch reichen?Can you pass me the milk?This sentence is useful for asking someone to pass the milk using reichen.Tatoeba #1537083 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1190917 by CK
- Kannst du mir die Oliven reichen?Can you pass me the olives?This sentence is useful for asking someone to pass the olives using reichen.Tatoeba #5707930 by halfdan, translation #5707932 by halfdan
- Bitte reichen Sie mir den Pfeffer.Please pass me the pepper.This sentence is useful for a polite request to pass the pepper using reichen.Tatoeba #2353777 by Zaghawa, translation #61553 by CK
- Bitte nehmen Sie den Durchgang zur Ausgangstür.Please take the passage to the exit door.
- Ich befinde mich auf der Durchreise nach Berlin,I am passing through on my way to Berlin.
- Kannst du mich bitte durchlassen?,Can you please let me pass through?
- Ein Unfall ist passiert,An accident happened.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a dinner table, Julia asks Maximilian for an item.
- JuliaMaximilian, kannst du mir bitte die Butter reichen?Maximilian, can you please pass me the butter?
- MaximilianJa, natürlich, hier ist sie.Yes, of course, here it is.
- JuliaVielen Dank.Thank you very much.
- MaximilianGerne geschehen.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pass” translations and entries reichen, weitergeben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reichen, weitergeben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
