ruhe in Frieden
/ˈʁuːə ʔɪn ˈfʁiːdn̩/word by word
ruhe in Frieden is the German way to say rest in peace.
This phrase is used as a blessing or an expression of hope for the deceased. You can use the infinitive form In Frieden ruhen to mean to rest in peace, or the phrase Möge er/sie in Frieden ruhen to say may he/she rest in peace.
Meaning: blessing or expression of hope (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where ruhe is the singular imperative of ruhen (to rest), in means in and Frieden means peace.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Bavarian dialect, you might hear the informal pronunciation Ruh' in Fraid instead of the standard version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular Ruhe in Frieden is the standard way to address a single deceased person. If you are addressing multiple people or using the formal 'Sie' address, you would use the plural or formal form Ruhen in Frieden.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁuːə ʔɪn ˈfʁiːdn̩/
Did you know?
- German uses the word Ruhe to describe both the peace of the dead and the mandatory 'quiet hours' in residential neighborhoods.
- The concept of Friedhof meaning 'cemetery' literally translates to 'peace yard'.
- In German culture, it is more common to use the phrase Mein Beileid to express sympathy to the living than to address the deceased with ruhe in Frieden.
Examples in context
- Ruhe in Frieden.Rest in peace.This shows the phrase used as a standard sentence.Tatoeba #692887 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #692884 by CM
- Ruhe in Frieden!Rest in peace!This shows the phrase used with an exclamation mark.Tatoeba #1229420 by Esperantostern, translation #6209183 by carlosalberto
- Die Witwe ließ auf den Grabstein schreiben: "Ruhe in Frieden- bis wir uns wiedersehen".The widow had the gravestone inscribed with the words "Rest in Peace – till we meet again."This shows the phrase ruhe in Frieden used as an inscription on a gravestone.Tatoeba #915266 by Esperantostern, translation #10808935 by sundown
- Mit tiefer Anteilnahme möchten wir Ihnen unser Beileid aussprechen. Möge der/die Verstorbene in Frieden ruhen.With deep sympathy, we would like to express our condolences. May the departed rest in peace.
- Mein herzliches Beileid. Ruhe in Frieden.My heartfelt condolences. Rest in peace.
Example conversation
Two friends are standing at a cemetery after a funeral.
- SarahRuhe in Frieden, mein alter Freund.Rest in peace, my old friend.
- JulianJa, er war ein wunderbarer Mensch.Yes, he was a wonderful man.
- SarahIch werde ihn sehr vermissen.I will miss him very much.
- JulianWir werden ihn nie vergessen.We will never forget him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rest in peace” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Ruhe, in, Frieden) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
