ripeness / maturity
die Reife
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ripeness
The state of fruit or other food when, after developing or being stored, it is suitable for eating or processing.
Die Birnen haben jetzt die richtige Reife zum Essen.
The pears are now at the right stage of ripeness to eat.
maturity
A stage of mental and personal development at which someone can act independently, responsibly, and with good judgment.
Ihr fehlt noch die nötige Reife, um eine solche Verantwortung zu übernehmen.
She still lacks the maturity needed to take on such responsibility.
physical / sexual maturity
The stage of physical development at which a person, animal, or plant is fully developed or capable of reproducing.
Diese Tiere erreichen ihre geschlechtliche Reife im zweiten Lebensjahr.
These animals reach sexual maturity in their second year of life.
technical maturity
A high level of development of a work, achievement, or technical solution at which something is well developed and largely complete.
Die technische Reife des neuen Verfahrens reicht für den industriellen Einsatz noch nicht aus.
The new process is not yet technically mature enough for industrial use.
intermediate school-leaving certificate
A secondary school qualification in Germany, usually obtained after the tenth grade and equivalent to the Realschulabschluss.
Nach der mittleren Reife begann sie eine Ausbildung zur Bankkauffrau.
After obtaining her intermediate school-leaving certificate, she began training to become a bank clerk.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| genitive | der Reife |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Reife | – |
| accusative | die Reife | – |
| dative | der Reife | – |
| genitive | der Reife | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Reife' (ripeness / maturity) belongs to the word family of 'reif' (ripe / mature) and generally refers to a state in which something is developed or ready. Depending on the context, it can refer to food, people, achievements, or technical solutions.
Die Reife der Tomaten erkennt man an ihrer Farbe und ihrem Geruch.
You can tell the ripeness of the tomatoes by their color and smell.
The intended meaning is often indicated by the words that accompany it: with fruit and vegetables, 'Reife' (ripeness) concerns when they are ready to eat; with people, it refers to personal or physical development; and with products, it refers to their stage of development.
Die Reife des Produkts wird vor der Markteinführung gründlich geprüft.
The product's maturity is thoroughly tested before it is launched on the market.
When referring to food, 'Reife' (ripeness) frequently occurs in phrases such as 'die volle Reife erreichen' (to reach full ripeness), 'zur Reife gelangen' (to ripen), and 'die Reife prüfen' (to check the ripeness). 'Optimale Reife' (optimal ripeness) is also common in this context.
Die Früchte werden geerntet, sobald sie ihre optimale Reife erreicht haben.
The fruit is harvested as soon as it reaches optimal ripeness.
When referring to mental and personal development, 'Reife' (maturity) is often combined with adjectives such as 'geistig' (mental), 'emotional' (emotional), or 'menschlich' (personal / human). People also frequently speak of the 'nötige Reife' (necessary maturity) or 'erforderliche Reife' (required maturity).
Für diese Aufgabe braucht man viel menschliche Reife und Geduld.
This task requires a great deal of personal maturity and patience.
In the sense of physical development, 'Reife' (maturity) particularly often occurs in fixed combinations such as 'körperliche Reife' (physical maturity), 'geschlechtliche Reife' (sexual maturity), and 'sexuelle Reife' (sexual maturity). These expressions often appear in biological or medical texts.
Das Alter beim Eintritt in die geschlechtliche Reife ist von Art zu Art verschieden.
The age at which sexual maturity is reached varies from species to species.
When referring to technical solutions and products, 'Reife' (maturity) is often combined with 'technisch' (technical), 'industriell' (industrial), or 'Markt' (market). Typical expressions include 'technische Reife' (technical maturity), 'Marktreife' (market readiness), and 'Serienreife' (readiness for mass production).
Vor der Serienproduktion muss die technische Reife des Geräts nachgewiesen werden.
The device's technical maturity must be demonstrated before mass production begins.
'Die mittlere Reife' (the intermediate school-leaving certificate) is a fixed term for a German school qualification. Typical combinations include 'die mittlere Reife erwerben' (to obtain the intermediate school-leaving certificate), 'die mittlere Reife haben' (to have the intermediate school-leaving certificate), and 'mit mittlerer Reife' (with an intermediate school-leaving certificate).
Mit mittlerer Reife kann er sich für verschiedene Ausbildungsberufe bewerben.
With an intermediate school-leaving certificate, he can apply for various vocational training programs.
