German word

reifen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁaɪ̯fən/

Meaning

  • verbripen

Example

Die Früchte reifen im Sommer.

The fruits ripen in summer.

Illustration for reifen (ripen)

More examples

Manche Ideen müssen erst reifen, bevor man sie vorstellt.

Some ideas must first mature before they are presented.

Core concept

A fruit, plan, or person gradually develops until its qualities are fully formed and ready.

Common phrases

  • Früchte reifen

    fruits ripen

  • eine Idee reifen lassen

    let an idea mature

  • Wein reifen

    wine mature

Similar words

ausreifen: Complete the final stage of development and reach full maturity.
heranreifen: Progress steadily toward a mature and fully developed state.
reifen lassen: Cause something to ripen or mature through time or treatment.

Definition in German

Durch inneren Prozess oder äußere Bedingungen reif werden; auch übertragen für Pläne, Gedanken oder Charaktereigenschaften.

Word origin

German reifen is derived from the adjective reif and is related to English ripe and the noun Reife.

Usage tips

  • Reifen describes the process of becoming mature, while reif sein describes the resulting state; the usual fruit construction is intransitive.

Other meanings

  • matureverb

Opposites

  • verfaulenrotverb
  • verrottendecomposeverb

Related words

  • Reifematuritynoun
  • Reifungripeningnoun
  • gereiftmatureadjective

Word lists with this word