die  Erreichbarkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛʁˈʁaɪ̯çbaɪ̯t/

🌍 What does "die Erreichbarkeit" mean?

Die Erreichbarkeit is a feminine noun describing the state or quality of being reachable or accessible. It encompasses several related meanings:

• Accessibility: The possibility of physically or virtually reaching a place, person, or service. Example: Die Erreichbarkeit des Berggipfels hängt vom Wetter ab (The accessibility of the mountain peak depends on the weather).
• Availability (of people): The possibility of contacting a person (e.g., by phone, email). Example: Die Erreichbarkeit des Kundendienstes ist am Wochenende eingeschränkt (The availability of customer service is limited on weekends).
• Availability (of resources): The possibility of accessing resources or information. Example: Die ständige Erreichbarkeit von Daten ist entscheidend (The constant availability of data is crucial).

It derives from the adjective erreichbar (reachable), which in turn comes from the verb erreichen (to reach, to achieve).

🚨 As an abstract noun, "die Erreichbarkeit" is mostly used only in the singular form.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Erreichbarkeit

The noun "Erreichbarkeit" is always feminine. The article is die. It is derived from the adjective erreichbar (reachable). Nouns ending in -keit are always feminine in German.

Declension (Singular)

Plural

As an abstract noun, "Erreichbarkeit" usually has no plural form. One refers to "der Erreichbarkeit" (of the accessibility/availability) in general.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Erreichbarkeit des Kundenservices wurde verbessert.
   (The availability of the customer service was improved.)
2. Wegen der eingeschränkten Erreichbarkeit mussten wir umplanen.
   (Because of the limited accessibility/availability, we had to reschedule.)
3. Wir arbeiten an der besseren Erreichbarkeit unserer Website.
   (We are working on the better accessibility of our website.)
4. Der Chef legt großen Wert auf die ständige Erreichbarkeit seiner Mitarbeiter.
   (The boss places great importance on the constant availability of his employees.)

🗣️ How is "Erreichbarkeit" used?

"Erreichbarkeit" is used in various contexts:

• Work & Service: Often refers to the telephone or digital availability of employees, teams, or customer services. (e.g., "Die Erreichbarkeit der Hotline ist von 9 bis 17 Uhr gewährleistet." - The hotline's availability is guaranteed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Transport & Infrastructure: Describes how easily places can be reached by means of transport. (e.g., "Die gute Erreichbarkeit des Bahnhofs ist ein Vorteil." - The good accessibility of the train station is an advantage.)
• Technology & IT: Refers to the uptime or availability of systems, servers, or data. (e.g., "Die hohe Erreichbarkeit des Servers ist kritisch." - The high availability of the server is critical.)
• Physical Accessibility: Can also refer to accessibility for people with disabilities, although "Zugänglichkeit" or "Barrierefreiheit" (barrier-free access) are often more specific here. (e.g., "Die Erreichbarkeit des Gebäudes für Rollstuhlfahrer ist gegeben." - The building's accessibility for wheelchair users is ensured.)

Compared to Verfügbarkeit (availability), Erreichbarkeit often emphasizes the aspect of being able to contact someone or get somewhere, while Verfügbarkeit can more broadly mean presence or readiness for use.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Erreichbarkeit"

Article "die"

Remember: All German nouns ending in -keit are feminine (die)! Just like die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Schnelligkeit (speed)... and die Erreichbarkeit.

Meaning

Erreichbarkeit comes from erreichen (to reach). If you can "reach" something (a place, a person), then Erreichbarkeit is given. Imagine you "reach" out your hand to someone – that's a form of Erreichbarkeit.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Caution):

• Die Erreichung: Refers to the achievement of a goal, not accessibility. (e.g., "Die Erreichung der Klimaziele." - The achievement of the climate goals.)

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat das WLAN-Passwort Liebeskummer?
(Why is the Wi-Fi password lovesick?)

Weil es ständig die Verbindung verliert und seine Erreichbarkeit leidet! 😉
(Because it constantly loses connection and its reachability suffers!)

✍️ Poem about Erreichbarkeit

Am Draht, per Mail, zu jeder Zeit,
(On the line, by mail, at any time,)
fragt man nach der Erreichbarkeit.
(one asks about the reachability.)
Ist offen die Tür, der Weg nicht weit,
(If the door is open, the way not far,)
dann herrscht gute Zugänglichkeit.
(then good accessibility prevails.)

Ob Mensch, ob Ort, ob Server im Netz,
(Whether person, place, or server on the net,)
man wünscht sie sich – das ist kein Witz.
(one wishes for it – that's no joke.)
Drum pflege sie gut, diesen Schatz,
(So tend it well, this treasure,)
die stete, klare Erreichbarkeit.
(the constant, clear reachability.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Zustand, sehr begehrt,
(I am a state, highly desired,)
im Job und wenn man weit weg fährt.
(at work and when one travels far.)
Man kann mich messen, schlecht und gut,
(I can be measured, bad and good,)
bin ich gestört, kocht oft das Blut.
(if I'm disturbed, blood often boils.)
Ich sorge dafür, dass man dich find’t,
(I ensure that one can find you,)
per Anruf oder Nachricht geschwind.
(by call or message swiftly.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Solution: Die Erreichbarkeit (Reachability / Accessibility / Availability)

🧩 Further Information

Word Composition

The word "Erreichbarkeit" is composed of:

• er-: Prefix (often intensifying or indicating a result)
• reich(en): Verb stem of "reichen" / "erreichen" (to reach)
• -bar: Suffix indicating possibility or capability (like -able in English) -> erreichbar = reachable
• -keit: Suffix used to form feminine nouns denoting a quality or state (like -ness or -ity in English).