jemandem zustehen
to be entitled
To have a right to something; to be entitled to receive or do something.
EXAMPLE
Jedem Arbeitnehmer stehen mindestens 24 Urlaubstage pro Jahr zu.
Every employee is entitled to at least 24 vacation days per year.
zustehen
to be entitled / be one's place
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Meanings
jemandem zustehen
to be one's place
To be appropriate or proper for a person because of their position or role. Often used in the negative form to express presumption.
EXAMPLE
Es steht dir nicht zu, über ihre Entscheidung zu urteilen.
It is not your place to judge her decision.
etwas zustehen
to admit
(elevated, becoming archaic) To admit or concede something.
EXAMPLE
Nach langem Zögern stand er seinen Fehler zu.
After long hesitation, he admitted his mistake.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zustehen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'zu' separates in main clauses and goes to the end. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Diese Pause steht Ihnen gesetzlich zu.
You are legally entitled to this break.
Dative construction
This verb is always used with the dative. The person who has a right to something or about whom a judgment is being made is in the dative (wem?). The thing that is due or appropriate is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Dem Kunden steht eine Rückerstattung zu.
The customer is entitled to a refund.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'zustehen' is often combined with legal or formal claims. Typical phrases are: 'ein Recht steht jemandem zu' (someone is entitled to a right), 'Urlaubstage stehen zu' (vacation days are due), 'eine Entschädigung steht zu' (compensation is due), or 'ein Anteil steht zu' (a share is due).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Gesetz steht Ihnen eine Abfindung zu.
Under the law, you are entitled to severance pay.
Context clue
The meaning 'ein Recht haben' (to have a right) is often positive or neutral and refers to claims or entitlements. The meaning 'angemessen sein' (to be appropriate), by contrast, is often phrased negatively ('es steht dir nicht zu' — it is not your place) and refers to judgments, criticism, or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Mir steht noch ein Urlaubstag zu.
I still have one vacation day due to me.
Register: Archaic
The meaning 'etwas zugeben' (to admit something) is archaic and is hardly used in modern language anymore. You mainly find it in older literature.
EXAMPLE
Er stand seinen Irrtum schließlich zu.
He finally admitted his error.
Compare with
zustehen vs verdienen
to earn / deserve
Both words can express that someone should receive something. „Verdienen“ emphasizes that a person has become worthy of it through their performance or behavior; „zustehen“ refers more to an existing right or entitlement. Use „verdienen“ when making an assessment and „zustehen“ for an established entitlement.
zustehen
Nach sechs Stunden Arbeit steht Anna eine längere Pause zu.
After working for six hours, Anna is entitled to a longer break.
verdienen
Nach ihrer großen Anstrengung verdient Anna eine längere Pause.
After all her hard work, Anna deserves a longer break.
In real life
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