01
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
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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' are closely related, but they are used differently grammatically. In its spatial meaning, 'recht' usually appears as an adjective before a noun: 'die rechte Hand' (the right hand), 'auf der rechten Seite' (on the right side). 'rechts' is used to indicate location or direction: 'rechts stehen' (to stand on the right), 'nach rechts gehen' (to go to the right). Politically, both can also have to do with a right-wing direction, but the form in the sentence is important. Learners can easily confuse them because they look almost the same. A simple guide is: before a noun, usually use 'recht' with an ending; for location or direction, usually use 'rechts'.
rechts
In der Küche steht der kleine Tisch rechts neben dem Fenster.
In the kitchen, the small table is on the right next to the window.
recht
Mein Kollege nahm vor dem Termin den rechten Aufzug.
Before the appointment, my colleague took the elevator on the right.
In real life
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