aufrechter

Aufrechter is a German adjective meaning upright, erect, or morally upright. It is used both for physical posture, as in someone standing or walking in an upright way, and for figurative sense, describing integrity, propriety, or honest conduct. The term is formed from the prefix auf- (up) and the noun/rightward sense of recht (right, straight).

Grammatically, aufrecht is the positive form, and aufrechter is an inflected form used before masculine singular nouns in many grammatical contexts. For example, ein aufrechter Mann (an upright man) and der aufrechte Mann (the upright man) illustrate different determinations influencing the ending. Other inflections follow standard German adjective declension: die aufrechte Haltung (the upright posture), das aufrechte Gleichgewicht (the upright balance), die aufrechten Männer (the upright men). In phrases with postpositive adjectives or definite articles, endings adjust accordingly.

Common usages and expressions include describing posture, gait, or stance (aufrechter Gang, eine aufrechte Haltung) as well as moral or ethical dimensions (aufrechte Lebensführung). The word is relatively formal and appears in literary, medical, or ergonomic contexts, as well as in discussions of character or behavior.

Origin and literature: Aufrecht derives from combinations meaning upright and proper. The concept has long-standing presence in German, with attestations in historical texts that reflect both physical and moral dimensions of uprightness.

See also: Aufrechte Haltung, aufrechter Gang, Aufrichtigkeit, Rechtschaffenheit.