die
Reichweite
🎯 What does "die Reichweite" mean?
Die Reichweite is a feminine noun in German generally describing the *distance* or *area* that something can cover or bridge. It has several specific meanings depending on the context:
- Spatial Distance: The maximum distance something can travel or reach (e.g., a *Fahrzeug* (vehicle) on a tank of fuel, a *Funksignal* (radio signal)).
- Scope of Influence/Impact: The extent or scale to which something or someone has influence or is perceived (e.g., the *Reichweite* of an *Werbekampagne* (advertising campaign), the influence of a person).
- Reachability: The distance within which something can be physically grasped or reached (e.g., *außer Reichweite* - out of reach).
⚠️ There are no different articles for *Reichweite*; it is always die Reichweite.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Reichweite
*Reichweite* is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Reichweite |
| Genitive | der | Reichweite |
| Dative | der | Reichweite |
| Accusative | die | Reichweite |
The plural form is *die Reichweiten*, but it's used less frequently than the singular.
Example Sentences
- Das neue Elektroauto hat eine beeindruckende Reichweite von 500 Kilometern.
(The new electric car has an impressive range of 500 kilometers.) - Die Reichweite des WLAN-Signals ist in diesem Teil des Hauses schwach.
(The range of the Wi-Fi signal is weak in this part of the house.) - Mit dieser Kampagne hoffen wir, eine große Reichweite in der Zielgruppe zu erzielen.
(With this campaign, we hope to achieve a wide reach within the target audience.) - Stell die Kekse bitte außer Reichweite der Kinder!
(Please put the cookies out of the children's reach!)
🌐 How "Reichweite" is Used
The term die Reichweite is versatile:
- Technology & Transport (*Technik & Verkehr*): Here, *Reichweite* often refers to maximum distance. Examples: *Reichweite* of an electric car, *Reichweite* of a drone, *Reichweite* of a radio.
- Media & Marketing (*Medien & Marketing*): This relates to the number of people reached by a message, advertisement, or post. Examples: *Reichweite* of a social media post, *Reichweite* of a TV channel.
- Influence & Power (*Einfluss & Macht*): Describes the sphere of influence of a person, organization, or idea. Example: The political *Reichweite* of his decisions was enormous.
- Everyday Language (*Alltagssprache*): Also used to describe physical reachability. Example: *Das Buch liegt in meiner Reichweite.* (The book is within my reach.)
Confusion is rare as the context usually clarifies the meaning. Similar terms like *Distanz* or *Entfernung* focus purely on spatial distance, while *Reichweite* also includes figurative meanings (influence, coverage).
🧠 Mnemonics for Reichweite
Here are ways to remember the article and meaning:
- Article Mnemonic: Think of *die* Queen having a long *reach* (Reichweite). Queen is feminine in concept, like *die*. Or remember the end sound: Reichweit**e** often signals *die*.
- Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine how far something can *reach* over a *wide* area. The word contains elements similar to 'reach' (*reich*-) and 'wide' (*Weite*).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Aktionsradius: *Action radius*, often used for vehicles or devices.
- Wirkungsbereich: *Sphere of influence/effect*, emphasizes the area where an effect occurs.
- Einflussbereich: *Sphere of influence*, similar to *Wirkungsbereich*, often political or social.
- Distanz: *Distance*, purely spatial.
- Erfassungsbereich: *Coverage area*, *detection range*, area covered by sensors, etc.
- Streuradius (Marketing): *Distribution radius*, how far a campaign spreads.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Nähe: *Proximity*, *closeness*.
- Begrenzung: *Limit*, *boundary*.
- Beschränkung: *Restriction*, *limitation*.
- Kurze Distanz: *Short distance*.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat das WLAN-Signal schlechte Laune?
(Why is the Wi-Fi signal in a bad mood?)
Weil es ständig an seine Reichweite erinnert wird!
(Because it's constantly reminded of its range/limits!)
📜 A Short Poem
Die Reichweite, ein Maß, so klar,
(The range, a measure, so clear,)
Wie weit kommt das Signal, das Auto, wunderbar?
(How far goes the signal, the car, wonderful dear?)
Wie weit der Einfluss, die Macht, die Hand?
(How far the influence, the power, the hand?)
Sie misst die Grenzen in dem Land.
(It measures the borders in the land.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich messe, wie weit dein Auto fährt,
(I measure how far your car travels,)
Und wie viel Publikum dein Wort erfährt.
(And how much audience your word unravels.)
Ich kann groß sein bei Funk und Macht,
(I can be large in radio and might,)
Und klein, wenn etwas ist außer Acht.
(And small, when something's out of sight.)
Was bin ich? / What am I?
(Answer: die Reichweite)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition: The word *Reichweite* is composed of the verb *reichen* (meaning 'to reach', 'to extend to') and the noun *die Weite* ('width', 'expanse', 'distance'). So, it literally describes the 'expanse' that something 'reaches'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Reichweite?
The German word "Reichweite" is always feminine. The correct article is "die". There are no alternative articles for this noun.