rechtschaffen
upright
Morally good, honest, and decent; guided by firm ethical principles.
EXAMPLE
Sie galt als eine rechtschaffene und hilfsbereite Frau.
She was regarded as an upright and helpful woman.
rechtschaffen
upright / thoroughly
rechtschaffen – rechtschaffner – am rechtschaffensten
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Meanings
rechtschaffen
thoroughly
In the fixed or especially colloquial usage, for example in „rechtschaffen müde“ (thoroughly tired): very, thoroughly, or intensely.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Wanderung waren wir rechtschaffen müde.
After the long hike, we were thoroughly tired.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry rechtschaffen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | rechtschaffen |
|---|---|
| comparative | rechtschaffner |
| superlative | am rechtschaffensten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to rechtschaffen.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to rechtschaffen.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to rechtschaffen.
Usage tips
Context clue
When „rechtschaffen“ describes a person or their character, it refers to moral qualities. When it appears directly before an adjective such as „müde“ (tired), however, it intensifies the description of a state.
EXAMPLE
Der rechtschaffene Richter ließ sich nicht bestechen.
The upright judge could not be bribed.
Nach dem Umzug waren alle Helfer rechtschaffen müde.
After the move, all the helpers were thoroughly tired.
Elevated style
The moral meaning of „rechtschaffen“ now belongs mainly to elevated or literary written language and often sounds formal in everyday conversation.
EXAMPLE
Im Roman wird der alte Förster als rechtschaffener Mann dargestellt.
In the novel, the old forester is portrayed as an upright man.
Fixed expression
In its second meaning, „rechtschaffen“ often appears directly before an adjective and intensifies it, especially in the fixed expression „rechtschaffen müde“ (thoroughly tired).
EXAMPLE
Am Abend waren die Kinder rechtschaffen hungrig.
In the evening, the children were really hungry.
In real life
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