richten an
to direct to
To address words, a question, a request, or criticism specifically to a person or group.
EXAMPLE
Der Journalist richtete eine kritische Frage an den Politiker.
The journalist directed a critical question to the politician.
richten
to direct / to fix
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Meanings
sich richten nach
to be guided by
To orient oneself toward something or someone; to take something as a standard or guideline and adjust one's behavior accordingly.
EXAMPLE
Die Abfahrtszeiten der Fähre richten sich nach den Gezeiten.
The ferry's departure times are guided by the tides.
richten
to aim / direct
To bring something into a specific position or alignment; to aim at something.
EXAMPLE
Er richtete das Teleskop auf den Mond.
He directed the telescope at the moon.
richten
to fix
To bring something that is bent, broken, or messy back into the right condition; to repair or put in order.
EXAMPLE
Der Uhrmacher hat die alte Standuhr wieder gerichtet.
The clockmaker fixed the old grandfather clock.
richten über
to judge
To pass judgment on someone or something, especially in a moral or legal sense.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter wird morgen über den Angeklagten richten.
The judge will pass judgment on the defendant tomorrow.
richten
to prepare
To prepare a meal and set it out for eating.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du schon mal das Abendessen richten, während ich den Tisch decke?
Can you go ahead and prepare dinner while I set the table?
richten
to execute
In a historical or legal context, to carry out the death penalty on someone; to execute someone.
EXAMPLE
Im Mittelalter wurden Verurteilte oft öffentlich gerichtet.
In the Middle Ages, convicted people were often executed publicly.
Usage tips
Word stem
The verb 'richten' is closely related to the adjective 'richtig' (correct/right). Many meanings have to do with the idea of bringing something into the 'richtige' (right) position, making it 'richtig' (right), or passing a 'richtiges' (proper) judgment.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte das schiefe Bild an der Wand richten?
Can you please straighten the crooked picture on the wall?
Pay attention to prepositions
The meaning of 'richten' changes significantly depending on the preposition. Pay close attention to whether it is used with 'an' (to), 'nach' (by/according to), 'auf' (at/onto), or 'über' (over/about), as this completely changes the meaning of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er richtete seine Worte an alle Anwesenden.
He directed his words to everyone present.
Sentence structure with 'an'
When you address something to someone, the structure is: 'etwas (Akkusativ) an jemanden (Akkusativ) richten' (to direct/address something to someone). The object that is being directed and the person it is directed to are both in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Bitte richten Sie alle Fragen direkt an den Kundenservice.
Please direct all questions straight to customer service.
Reflexive with 'nach'
In the meaning 'to orient oneself', the verb is reflexive and is used with the preposition 'nach' and the dative: 'sich nach jemandem/etwas richten' (to be guided by someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann heute flexibel sein und richte mich ganz nach dir.
I can be flexible today and fit in completely with you.
Sentence structure with 'auf'
When you aim or align something at a target, you use the preposition 'auf' with the accusative: 'etwas auf etwas/jemanden richten' (to direct something at something/someone).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder richteten ihre Wasserpistolen aufeinander.
The children aimed their water pistols at each other.
Sentence structure with 'über'
When it is about judgment, you use the preposition 'über' with the accusative: 'über jemanden/etwas richten' (to judge someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Man sollte nicht vorschnell über andere Menschen richten.
One should not judge other people too hastily.
Colloquial use
The meaning 'to prepare a meal' is rather colloquial and is often used in a family context. Typical phrases are 'das Frühstück richten' (to prepare breakfast) or 'das Abendbrot richten' (to prepare supper).
EXAMPLE
Meine Oma hat uns früher immer ein tolles Mittagessen gerichtet.
My grandma always used to prepare a wonderful lunch for us.
Compare with
richten vs zielen
to aim
Here, richten first describes orienting a weapon or device toward a target. Zielen additionally emphasizes the intention of hitting or reaching that target. If only the position is meant, richten is appropriate; when hitting the target is planned, zielen is more suitable.
richten
Er richtet das Gewehr auf die Scheibe, um das Visier einzustellen.
He points the rifle at the target to adjust the sights.
zielen
Er zielt mit dem Gewehr auf die Scheibe, um sie zu treffen.
He aims the rifle at the target in order to hit it.
In real life
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