01
recht haben
to be right
To be in the right; to make a correct statement or hold a correct opinion.
example
Du hattest recht, der Weg über die Landstraße ist viel schöner.
You were right, the route along the country road is much nicer.
recht
right / quite
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'recht' (right) and the noun 'das Recht' (the right/law) belong to the same word family. Lowercase signals the adjective or adverb, while capitalization indicates the noun. Both share the basic idea of 'correct' or 'just'.
EXAMPLE
Es ist dein gutes Recht, deine Meinung zu sagen.
It is your good right to express your opinion.
Fixed expression
The expression 'recht haben' (to be right) is a fixed construction. Here you always use the verb 'haben' (to have) to express that someone is in the right.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss zugeben, du hast recht.
I have to admit, you are right.
Dative construction
When something is okay for a person, you use the structure 'etwas ist jemandem recht' (something suits someone / is okay with someone). The person it suits is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Wäre es Ihnen recht, wenn wir das Treffen verschieben?
Would it suit you if we postponed the meeting?
Intensifying adverb
As an adverb, 'recht' (quite/very) is not declined and comes directly before another adjective or adverb. It means 'ziemlich' (quite) or 'sehr' (very) and intensifies its meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Film war recht unterhaltsam.
The film was quite entertaining.
Context: direction
When a direction is meant, the form 'rechts' with 's' at the end is often used, especially in the expression 'nach rechts' (to the right). The adjective 'recht' without 's' is less common in this context.
EXAMPLE
Das Badezimmer ist die zweite Tür auf der rechten Seite.
The bathroom is the second door on the right-hand side.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'passend' (suitable) or 'geeignet' (appropriate), 'recht' is often found in combinations like 'der rechte Augenblick' (the right moment), 'zur rechten Zeit' (at the right time), or 'am rechten Ort' (in the right place).
EXAMPLE
Er wartete auf den rechten Moment, um seine Frage zu stellen.
He waited for the right moment to ask his question.
Political context
In a political context, 'recht' describes a conservative position. Depending on the context, the word can be neutrally descriptive or evaluative.
EXAMPLE
Diese Partei wird dem rechten Spektrum zugeordnet.
This party is assigned to the right-wing spectrum.
Compare with
recht vs sehr
very
'sehr' and 'recht' can both intensify an adjective or adverb. 'sehr' sounds clearly stronger and neutral: 'sehr teuer' (very expensive), 'sehr schnell' (very fast), 'sehr wichtig' (very important). 'recht' often means more like 'quite' or 'rather' and sounds a little more cautious: 'recht teuer' does not always mean extremely expensive. Learners may confuse the words because both can come before adjectives. If you mean strong emphasis, 'sehr' fits better. If you want to evaluate something only moderately or cautiously, 'recht' sounds more natural.
recht
Mein Nachbar ist recht freundlich, aber wir reden nicht oft.
My neighbor is quite friendly, but we don't talk often.
sehr
Der Weg durch den Wald war sehr lang.
The path through the forest was very long.
In real life
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