01
reich
rich
Having a great deal of money, property, or wealth.
example
Er träumt davon, eines Tages reich zu sein und nicht mehr arbeiten zu müssen.
He dreams of being rich one day and no longer having to work.
reich
rich
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Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Fixed preposition
When 'reich' (rich) means that something is present in a large amount, it is always followed by the preposition 'an' with the dative. The structure is: reich an etwas (Dativ) (rich in something, dative).
EXAMPLE
Spinat ist reich an Eisen.
Spinach is rich in iron.
Word family
'Reich' (rich) is the adjective related to the noun 'der Reichtum' (wealth). There is also the verb 'bereichern' (to enrich), which means to make something richer or to be a valuable addition.
EXAMPLE
Diese Reise hat mein Leben sehr bereichert.
This trip enriched my life greatly.
Context clue
If 'reich' stands alone and describes a person, it usually means 'wealthy' (m01). If 'an' follows, the figurative meaning 'containing a lot of something' is meant (m02). In combination with abstract nouns like 'Erfahrung' (experience), it is also used figuratively (m03).
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein sehr reicher Mann.
He is a very rich man.
Figurative use
In a figurative sense, 'reich' (rich) describes something that is varied, valuable, or substantial. Common collocations are 'eine reiche Erfahrung' (a rich experience), 'ein reiches Wissen' (rich knowledge), or 'eine reiche Kultur' (a rich culture).
EXAMPLE
Der Austausch mit anderen Kulturen ist eine reiche Erfahrung.
The exchange with other cultures is a rich experience.
Compare with
reich vs arm
poor
'reich' and 'arm' are direct opposites when it comes to money, possessions, or means. A rich person has a lot; a poor person has little or almost nothing. Both words can also be used with 'an': then it is not about money, but about the amount of something. A country can be 'reich an Wasser' (rich in water) or 'arm an Rohstoffen' (low in raw materials), for example. The important point is: 'arm' can also express sympathy, but in this contrast it is mainly about having few possessions or little of something.
reich
Die Familie ist reich und besitzt mehrere Häuser am See.
The family is rich and owns several houses by the lake.
arm
Viele Menschen in der Region sind arm und brauchen Unterstützung.
Many people in the region are poor and need support.
In real life
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