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verb

zustehen

entitled · be entitled · entitle · be due

Etwas gehört einer Person, weil sie ein Recht darauf hat.

Definition & meaning

zustehen means to be entitled to / to have a right to something. It is used when someone deserves or is legally/officially due something (money, benefits, time off, a share, etc.).

Common patterns:

  • jdm. steht etw. zu = someone is entitled to something
    • Mir steht Urlaub zu. = I am entitled to vacation days.
  • etw. steht jdm. zu = something is due to someone
    • Ihm steht eine Entschädigung zu. = He is entitled to compensation.

A second, less frequent meaning is about clothing or a look suiting someone:

  • Das Kleid steht dir zu. = That dress suits you (looks good on you).

Grammar & Word origin

  • Verb (inseparable prefix): zustehen (prefix zu- stays attached; in conjugation it becomes steht … zu in main clauses).
  • Typical construction: Dative person + subject thing
    • Mir (Dat.) steht (Verb) eine Prämie (Nom.) zu (Prefix).
  • Forms: steht zu, stand zu, hat zugestanden
  • Origin / parts: zu- + stehen (“to stand”). The idea is that something “stands to” a person, i.e., it belongs to them by right or is due to them.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms (meaning “to be entitled to”)

  • berechtigt sein
  • Anspruch haben (auf)
  • jemandem gebühren
  • jemandem zukommen (something is due/allocated to someone)

Antonyms (approximate, depending on context)

  • nicht zustehen
  • keinen Anspruch haben
  • verwehrt sein (to be denied to someone)

Synonyms (meaning “to suit / look good on”)

  • jemandem stehen
  • jemandem gut stehen

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Examples

Dir steht dieses Recht zu.verb

You are entitled to this right.

Ihm stehen drei Urlaubstage mehr zu.verb

He is entitled to three more days of vacation.

Dir stehen zusätzliche Rechte zu.verb

You are entitled to additional rights.

Dem Mitarbeiter können sechs Stunden Erholung zustehen.verb

The employee may be entitled to six hours of rest.

Dem neuen Kollegen stehen oft einige Rechte zu.verb

The new colleague is often entitled to certain rights.

Viele Vorteile stehen den Mitarbeitern zu.verb

Many benefits are due to the employees.

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