German · Travel & Getting Around

"Right (direction)" in German: rechts

rechts

Say it: RECHTSadverb/ʁɛçts/

Right as a direction in German is rechts. Say rechts abbiegen to turn right. For correct, use richtig, not rechts.

Driving

Gleich rechts in die Seitenstraße.
Right into the side street in a moment.
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How to pronounce rechts

Say it

RECHTS

/ʁɛçts/

RECHTS. Soft ch as in ich. Final ts.

"Right (direction)" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
rechtsright / to the right

Direction.

rechts abbiegenturn right

Navigation.

auf der rechten Seiteon the right side

Location.

nach rechtsto the right

Common phrase.

How to use rechts in real life

  1. 1Driving

    Gleich rechts in die Seitenstraße.

    Right into the side street in a moment.

    Short driver cue.

  2. 2In a store

    Die Umkleiden sind rechts.

    The fitting rooms are on the right.

    rechts as location.

  3. 3Map reading

    Rechts vom Bahnhof ist ein Café.

    To the right of the station is a cafe.

    rechts von.

Mistakes English speakers make with rechts

Incorrect: Das ist rechts. (meaning correct)

Correct: Das ist richtig.

Rechts is direction. Correct is richtig.

Incorrect: Dreh right hier.

Correct: Dreh rechts hier. / Bieg rechts ab.

Use rechts, not English right.

Good to know

In directions, rechts and links come early in the sentence. People rarely add bitte between each turn. If someone says rechts halten, they mean keep right, often in traffic.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Finding a pharmacy

  1. ChatPal

    Die Apotheke ist gleich rechts.

    The pharmacy is right there on the right.

  2. You

    Also an der Ampel rechts?

    So right at the light?

  3. ChatPal

    Ja. Dann siehst du rechts das grüne Kreuz.

    Yes. Then on the right you'll see the green cross.

  4. You

    Alles klar, danke!

    All clear, thanks!

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"Right (direction)" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Right (direction)" in German

How do you say turn right?

Rechts abbiegen.

What is the opposite of rechts?

Links.

How do you say on the right?

Rechts or auf der rechten Seite.

Does rechts mean correct?

No. Correct is richtig. Right-wing politics is die Rechte.

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