das
Anrecht
📜 What exactly is 'das Anrecht'?
Das Anrecht (noun, neuter) refers to a justified claim or entitlement to something. It often implies a right that is due to someone, whether by law, contract, agreement, or due to specific circumstances. You have (haben) an Anrecht auf something (a right/claim to something).
In contrast to the general term 'Recht' (right, law), 'Anrecht' often emphasizes a more specific claim, sometimes also one based on moral or social grounds.
⚠️ It is almost exclusively used with the preposition auf (+ accusative case): ein Anrecht auf Unterstützung haben (to have a right to support).
📐 Grammar of 'das Anrecht' Explained
Das Anrecht is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Anrecht |
| Genitive | des | Anrecht(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Anrecht(e) |
| Accusative | das | Anrecht |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anrechte |
| Genitive | der | Anrechte |
| Dative | den | Anrechten |
| Accusative | die | Anrechte |
Example Sentences
- Jeder Bürger hat ein Anrecht auf freie Meinungsäußerung.
Every citizen has a right to freedom of expression. - Sie prüft, ob sie ein Anrecht auf Sozialleistungen hat.
She is checking if she is entitled to social benefits. - Mit dem Ticket erwirbt man das Anrecht auf einen Sitzplatz.
With the ticket, one acquires the right to a seat. - Die Erben streiten um ihre Anrechte am Vermögen.
The heirs are arguing about their claims to the assets.
💡 How to Use 'das Anrecht' Correctly
The term Anrecht is frequently used in formal, legal, or administrative contexts. Here are some typical use cases:
- Social Benefits: One speaks of the Anrecht auf Arbeitslosengeld (entitlement to unemployment benefit), Kindergeld (child benefit), Rente (pension), etc.
- Contract Law: A contract can give someone an Anrecht auf Lieferung (right to delivery), Leistung (performance), or Zahlung (payment).
- Inheritance Law: Heirs (Erben) have certain Anrechte (claims/rights) to the estate (Nachlass).
- General Claims: Even in everyday life, one might speak of an Anrecht auf einen Parkplatz (e.g., for disabled people) or an Anrecht auf Information (right to information).
Difference from 'Anspruch' and 'Recht':
- Recht: Is the more general, broader term (e.g., Menschenrecht - human right, Grundrecht - fundamental right).
- Anspruch (der): Is often more concrete and enforceable than 'Anrecht', but can be used synonymously. 'Anspruch' sometimes emphasizes the active demanding more.
- Anrecht: Often emphasizes the fundamental entitlement or the fact that something is due, sometimes with a moral component.
You say: "Ich habe ein Anrecht auf etwas" (I have a right/claim to something) or "Etwas steht mir als Anrecht zu" (Something is due to me as a right).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Anrecht'
For the article 'das': Think of the related German word das Recht (the right, the law). Both words are closely related in meaning and both are neuter. The small prefix "An-" doesn't change the gender of "Recht". So: das Recht -> das Anrecht.
For the meaning: Imagine someone standing AN (at) the door, demanding their RECHT (right). They have an Anrecht (entitlement/claim) to be let in or to receive what is due to them.
↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Anspruch (der): Often synonymous, sometimes emphasizes the right to demand more strongly. (claim, demand)
- Berechtigung (die): Very similar, the authorization or right to do or receive something. (entitlement, authorization)
- Recht (das): More general term, but can be synonymous depending on context. (right, law)
- Befugnis (die): Similar to Berechtigung, often in the sense of permission or competence. (authority, power)
- Zustehendes Recht: A descriptive phrase meaning 'due right'.
Antonyms (Conceptual Opposites):
- Pflicht (die): What one must do, not what one is entitled to. (duty, obligation)
- Verpflichtung (die): Similar to Pflicht, a commitment to do something. (obligation, commitment)
- Last (die): A burden, the opposite of a benefit or right. (burden)
- Verzicht (der): Waiving an entitlement. (waiver, renunciation)
Beware of Confusion: Don't confuse Anrecht with 'Anschrift' (address) or 'Ansicht' (view, opinion).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Stuhl ein Anrecht auf seinen Platz am Tisch?
Weil er einen festen Standpunkt hat! 😉
Why does the chair have a right (Anrecht) to its place at the table?
Because it has a firm standpoint (Standpunkt also means point of view/stance)! 😉
✍️ A Poem about Entitlement
Ein jeder Mensch, ob groß, ob klein,
soll seiner Rechte sicher sein.
Das Anrecht, fest und klar benannt,
reicht dir die helfende Hand.
Auf Schutz, auf Hilfe, auf ein Wort,
an diesem sich'ren, festen Ort.
Was dir gebührt, was dir soll sein,
das fordre mutig für dich ein!
Every person, whether big or small,
should be secure in their rights.
The entitlement (das Anrecht), firmly and clearly named,
offers you a helping hand.
To protection, to help, to a word,
at this secure, firm place.
What is due to you, what should be yours,
demand it bravely for yourself!
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich bin kein Ding, das man greifen kann,
doch steht es dir zu, irgendwann.
Man hat mich auf Rente, auf Platz, auf Lohn,
manchmal erstritten mit Hohn und mit Droh'n.
Im Gesetzbuch steh' ich oft drin,
eine Berechtigung, ein tieferer Sinn.
Was bin ich?
I am not a thing that you can grasp,
Yet it is due to you, eventually.
One has me for pension, for place, for wage,
Sometimes fought for with scorn and with threat.
In the law book, I am often found,
An entitlement, a deeper meaning profound.
What am I?
(Solution: das Anrecht)
🧩 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word Anrecht is composed of:
- Prefix an-: Here indicates a direction or belonging (something goes *to* someone, is due to them).
- Root word Recht: Refers to what is legally or morally correct or permitted (right, law).
Fixed Phrases:
- ein Anrecht auf etwas haben: The most common usage. Example: Sie hat ein Anrecht auf Urlaubstage. (She has a right to vacation days.)
- sein Anrecht geltend machen: To actively assert one's right. Example: Er machte sein Anrecht auf Schadensersatz geltend. (He asserted his claim for damages.)
- verbrieftes Anrecht: A right guaranteed in writing (lit. 'chartered' right).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Anrecht?
The German word Anrecht is a neuter noun, so the correct article is das. It signifies a justified claim or entitlement to something.