How do you say Right in German?

Today’s word pulls double duty. The German noun das Recht means a right, law, or justice. To say “you are right,” use du hast recht (also du hast Recht). It appears in debates, polite conversation, politics, and philosophy - as well as in legal and bureaucratic contexts. It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, too!

Recht is a neuter noun, so the correct article is das - das Recht. Not sure how to keep der / die / das straight? Our quick and surprisingly helpful 5-minute video lesson will give you confidence with gender - fast.

Real conversations where Recht might come up

This word pops up constantly in conversation - not only when talking about legal matters, but also when agreeing or disagreeing. If someone says something smart or correct, a simple Du hast recht is an easy way to agree.

- Ich glaube, das ist zu teuer.- Ja, da hast du recht.(“I think that’s too expensive.” - “Yeah, you’re right.”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Paul: Ich glaube, der Film kommt morgen.Nina: Nein, heute schon!Paul: Ach so… du hast recht.

(Paul: I think the movie’s on tomorrow.Nina: No, it’s today already!Paul: Oh right… you’re right.)

Grammar in action: How to use Recht

• Nominative: Das Recht ist auf meiner Seite.(The law is on my side.)

• Accusative: Ich habe ein Recht auf Urlaub.(I have a right to vacation.)

• Dative: Das steht im Einklang mit dem Recht.(That’s in line with the law.)

• Genitive: Die Grenzen des Rechts sind umstritten.(The limits of the law are controversial.)

Cases got you confused? Our easy German grammar course explains it all without jargon - ideal for people who want to get it without getting stuck.