German word

zurechtkommen

Pronunciation

IPA/t͡suˈʁɛçtˌkɔmən/

Meaning

  • verbcope

Example

Ich komme mit dem Stress zurecht.

I cope with the stress.

Illustration for zurechtkommen (cope)

More examples

Manchmal kommt man mit Kritik kaum zurecht.

Sometimes people can hardly cope with criticism.

Core concept

A person and a task, situation, or companion fit into a workable arrangement.

Common phrases

  • mit Kindern zurechtkommen

    cope with children

  • mit Kritik zurechtkommen

    cope with criticism

  • mit Problemen zurechtkommen

    cope with problems

Similar words

klarkommen: Manage ordinary daily problems independently and carry on without difficulty.
bewältigen: Overcome a demanding task or burden through sustained effort.
zurechtfinden: Find one's way in unfamiliar surroundings and learn to function well there.

Definition in German

eine schwierige Situation so handhaben, dass sie einen nicht stark belastet.

Word origin

The verb is formed from zu recht, meaning toward what is right or proper, and kommen, meaning to come, with the combined sense of reaching a workable state.

Usage tips

  • With people, mit jemandem zurechtkommen takes mit plus the dative and means getting along with someone.

Other meanings

  • manageverb
  • get byverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Zurechtkommencopingnoun

Word lists with this word