German word

erreichen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈʁaɪ̯çən/

Meaning

  • verbget to

Example

Ich erreiche den Bahnhof.

I get to the station.

Illustration for erreichen (get to)

More examples

Ich habe das Ziel erreicht.

I reached the goal.

Core concept

A path spans the distance from a starting point to an intended place, goal, person, or finished result.

Common phrases

  • den Bus erreichen

    catch the bus

  • jemanden erreichen

    get in touch with ___

  • das Ziel erreichen

    reach the goal

Similar words

ankommen: Arrive at a destination after traveling there.
anrufen: Call someone by phone and speak with them.
schaffen: Achieve a goal through effort.

Definition in German

an einen Ort, ein Ziel oder eine Person gelangen; etwas vollenden oder telefonisch/sonst Kontakt zu jemandem bekommen

Word origin

The German verb erreichen grew from Middle High German erreichen, formed with er- and reichen, whose Germanic root expressed extending far enough to touch or attain something.

Usage tips

  • Erreichen takes a direct accusative object, as in den Bahnhof, ein Ziel, or jemanden, without a preposition before the object.

Other meanings

  • accomplishverb
  • get in touch with ___verb

Opposites

Related words

  • erreichbarreachableadjective
  • Erreichbarkeitreachabilitynoun

Word lists with this word