rechts
right
An indication of direction; on the side where, in most people, the heart is not located. The opposite of left.
EXAMPLE
Biegen Sie an der nächsten Kreuzung bitte rechts ab.
Please turn right at the next intersection.
rechts
right
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Meanings
rechts
right-wing
Refers to belonging to the conservative or nationalist political spectrum.
EXAMPLE
Bei der letzten Wahl haben die rechten Parteien an Stimmen gewonnen.
In the last election, the right-wing parties gained votes.
von Rechts wegen
by right
On the basis of a law or legal claim; lawfully.
EXAMPLE
Diese Entschädigung steht den Opfern von Rechts wegen zu.
This compensation is due to the victims by right.
Usage tips
Common mistake
The adverb 'rechts' (right) is not declined. It is important to distinguish it from the adjective 'rechte/r/s' (right). The adverb describes a position or direction; the adjective describes a quality of a noun.
EXAMPLE
Das Haus auf der rechten Seite ist neu.
The house on the right side is new.
Use with prepositions
As an indication of direction, 'rechts' (right) is often combined with prepositions to clarify the type of movement or position. 'Nach rechts' describes movement, 'von rechts' indicates origin, and 'rechts von' indicates a position.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto kam von rechts.
The car came from the right.
Context clue
You can always recognize the political meaning of 'rechts' (right-wing) from the context. If the sentence is about politics, parties, elections, or ideologies, it does not refer to the direction.
EXAMPLE
Er interessiert sich sehr für politische Theorien und liest über linke und rechte Ideen.
He is very interested in political theories and reads about left-wing and right-wing ideas.
Register and style
The expression 'von Rechts wegen' (by right) is very formal and used almost exclusively in legal or administrative language. It means that someone is entitled to something by law.
EXAMPLE
Das Erbe gehört ihm von Rechts wegen.
The inheritance belongs to him by right.
Compare with
rechts vs recht
right / quite
Recht and rechts refer here to the same side or direction. Recht is an adjective placed before a noun and changes depending on the case; rechts stands on its own, usually as an indication of direction. Say „die rechte Tür“ when you are specifying a noun, and „geh rechts“ when you are indicating the direction.
rechts
Biegen Sie am Ende des Flurs bitte rechts ab.
At the end of the hallway, please turn right.
recht
Nimm bitte die rechte Tür am Ende des Flurs.
Please take the door on the right at the end of the hallway.
In real life
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