German word

richten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁɪçtn̩/

Meaning

  • verbpoint

Example

Er richtet die Kamera auf das Kind.

He is pointing the camera at the child.

Illustration for richten (point)

More examples

Der Moderator richtet seine Worte an das Publikum.

The moderator directs his words to the audience.

Core concept

A beam, object, or message deliberately directed toward a selected person, thing, or goal.

Common phrases

  • richtet die Aufmerksamkeit auf

    directs attention to

  • richtet seine Worte an

    directs his words to

  • richtet den Blick auf

    directs the gaze at

Similar words

ansprechen: Speak to someone directly to communicate a matter.
sich wenden an: Turn to a particular person with a request or for advice.
konzentrieren: Focus attention or effort on one particular object or goal.
ausrichten: Pass a message on to another person.

Definition in German

Etwas bewusst an eine bestimmte Person, Sache oder ein Ziel adressieren oder konzentrieren.

Word origin

Richten is an inherited Germanic verb from Old High German rihtōn, whose earlier sense involved making something straight or properly aligned.

Usage tips

  • Richten auf describes directing something toward a target, while sich an jemanden richten means addressing or being intended for someone.

Other meanings

  • aimverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word