German Conversation · Level 66
75 words
German word
Reife
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʁaɪ̯fə/
Meaning
- feminine nounmaturity
Example
Die Reife eines Menschen zeigt sich oft im Verhalten.
A person's maturity is often evident in their behavior.
More examples
Die Reife des Weins beeinflusst sein Aroma.
The maturity of the wine affects its aroma.
Core concept
Fruit ready for picking and a person ready to respond with balanced judgment share the same image of completed development.
Common phrases
emotionale Reife
emotional maturity
die Reife erreichen
reach maturity
Similar words
Mündigkeit: The capacity to decide independently and accept responsibility for the outcomes.
Erwachsenheit: The condition of being considered an adult by age or social position.
Verantwortungsbewusstsein: A willingness to answer for the consequences of one's own actions.
Gelassenheit: A composed state marked by steady emotions and inner calm.
Definition in German
innere Entwicklung oder Verhaltensweise einer Person, die reif, überlegt und stabil erscheint
Word origin
Reife comes from the adjective reif, which applies both to ripe things and to mature people; both words continue an old Germanic root connected with ripeness.
Usage tips
- In mittlere Reife, Reife names an intermediate school-leaving qualification rather than a person's general maturity.
Other meanings
- ripenessnoun
Opposites
- Unreifeimmaturitynoun
Related words
- reifmatureadjective
- Reifungmaturationnoun