reifen
to ripen
To become ripe and thereby edible or ready for use, especially when referring to fruit, grain, or wine.
EXAMPLE
Die Äpfel reifen in diesem Jahr besonders früh.
The apples are ripening particularly early this year.
reifen
to ripen / mature
reifen – reifte – ist gereift
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Meanings
reifen
to mature
To develop further internally or in terms of quality and thereby become more complete or considered. This can also refer to thoughts, plans, or decisions.
EXAMPLE
Der Plan ist über mehrere Monate gereift.
The plan matured over several months.
zu etwas reifen
to mature into something
To gradually develop into a particular person, role, or ability.
EXAMPLE
Sie reifte zu einer erfahrenen Führungskraft.
She matured into an experienced manager.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry reifen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | reife |
|---|---|
| du | reifst |
| er/sie/es | reift |
| wir | reifen |
| ihr | reift |
| sie | reifen |
Simple past
| ich | reifte |
|---|---|
| du | reiftest |
| er/sie/es | reifte |
| wir | reiften |
| ihr | reiftet |
| sie | reiften |
Perfect
with sein
| ich | bin gereift |
|---|---|
| du | bist gereift |
| er/sie/es | ist gereift |
| wir | sind gereift |
| ihr | seid gereift |
| sie | sind gereift |
Commands
| du | reif! reife! |
|---|---|
| ihr | reift! |
| Sie | reifen Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | war gereift |
|---|---|
| du | warst gereift |
| er/sie/es | war gereift |
| wir | waren gereift |
| ihr | wart gereift |
| sie | waren gereift |
Future
| ich | werde reifen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst reifen |
| er/sie/es | wird reifen |
| wir | werden reifen |
| ihr | werdet reifen |
| sie | werden reifen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | reife |
|---|---|
| du | reifest |
| er/sie/es | reife |
| wir | reifen |
| ihr | reifet |
| sie | reifen |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | reifte |
|---|---|
| du | reiftest |
| er/sie/es | reifte |
| wir | reiften |
| ihr | reiftet |
| sie | reiften |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | reifen |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu reifen |
| present participle | reifend |
| past participle | gereift |
Usage tips
Intransitive verb
'Reifen' (to ripen / mature) is normally used without a direct object: something ripens or matures on its own. In the perfect tense, 'sein' (to be) is often used as the auxiliary verb.
EXAMPLE
Die Birnen sind im Keller langsam gereift.
The pears ripened slowly in the cellar.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'reifen' (to ripen) is often used with fruit, grain, or beverages. Typical collocations include 'Früchte reifen lassen' (to let fruit ripen), 'Getreide reift' (grain ripens), and 'Wein reift im Fass' (wine matures in the barrel).
EXAMPLE
Der Wein reift mehrere Jahre in Eichenfässern.
The wine matures in oak barrels for several years.
Figurative use
With abstract things such as ideas, plans, or decisions, 'reifen' (to mature) describes a longer process of thought or development. A time expression often emphasizes this process.
EXAMPLE
Über mehrere Wochen reifte in ihr der Entschluss, ins Ausland zu gehen.
Over several weeks, she gradually came to the decision to move abroad.
Zu construction
When someone develops into a particular role or acquires a particular ability, 'reifen' (to mature) is followed by the preposition 'zu' (into) with the dative case. This explicitly states the goal of the development.
EXAMPLE
In wenigen Jahren ist der junge Spieler zu einem echten Führungsspieler gereift.
Within a few years, the young player matured into a true leader.
In real life
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