erreichen
/ɛɐ̯ˈʁaɪ̯çn̩/
Definition
To reach or achieve something, such as a place, person, or goal.
Example
Sie hat ihr Ziel nach vielen Jahren erreicht.
Show translation
She reached her goal after many years.
Etymology
From the prefix *er-* (indicating completion or attainment) + *reichen* ("to reach, to extend"), rooted in Old High German *rīhhan*. The *er-* prefix gives it a sense of successfully arriving at a result — not just stretching out, but actually getting there.
Cultural note
*Erreichen* does double duty in German: it covers both physical reaching ("to reach the station") and abstract achievement ("to reach a goal"). Don't confuse it with *ankommen* (to arrive) — *ankommen* focuses on arrival at a destination, while *erreichen* emphasises the effort of getting somewhere or making contact. You'll also hear it in phone contexts: *Ich bin nicht erreichbar* ("I'm not reachable / available") is the standard way Germans say they can't be contacted.