reichst

Reichst is a term of German origin that appears in several linguistic and onomastic contexts. As a conjugated form of the verb reichen, it serves as the second‑person singular present indicative, meaning “you reach,” “you hand (something) over,” or “you are sufficient.” In this grammatical role it is common in everyday speech and literature, for example in the sentence „Du reichst mir das Buch“ (“You hand me the book”). The verb itself derives from Old High German reicnan, related to the Proto‑Germanic *raikaną, and ultimately to the concept of extending or supplying.

In addition to its verbal use, Reichst functions as a Germanic surname. The name is most frequently found in Austria and southern Germany and is thought to originate from a nickname for a person perceived as wealthy or generous, drawing on the adjective reich (“rich”). Historical records list bearers of the surname dating back to the 16th century, though it has remained relatively uncommon. Notable individuals include Johann Reichst (1803–1865), an Austrian jurist noted for his contributions to civil law codification, and Maria Reichst (born 1972), a contemporary German visual artist whose work has been exhibited in several European galleries.

In modern German, the superlative form of reich is reichste, not reichst, which sometimes leads to confusion among learners. Outside the German language, the term has limited usage, appearing primarily in linguistic studies of German verb conjugation and in genealogical research concerning the Reichst family name. No dedicated encyclopedia entry exists under the English title “Reichst,” but the word is indexed in German-language reference works on grammar and onomastics.