Übrige

Übrige is a German adjective meaning remaining, the rest, or other, used to refer to what remains after others have been considered. It is commonly used to describe people, things, or time that are left over in a set or sequence.

Declension and usage

As with other adjectives in German, übrige declines according to the presence or absence of a determiner. With a definite article or determiner, it takes weak endings: der übrige Mann, die übrige Zeit, das übrige Stück; die übrigen Dinge (plural). Without a determiner, strong endings apply: übriger Mann, übrige Zeit, übriges Stück, übrige Dinge. The feminine singular and plural forms are übrig(e) before the noun, depending on the case, while masculine and neuter forms vary (üb riger Mann, übriges Stück). In practical usage, the form chosen aligns with standard adjective declension rules.

Noun usage and phraseology

Übrige can be used as a noun when capitalized, referring to the remaining people or things collectively: der Übrige, die Übrigen. This nominalized form is common in formal or enumerative contexts, e.g., Die Übrigen sind bereits gegangen. A frequent fixed phrase is im Übrigen, meaning besides, incidentally, or as far as the rest is concerned.

Etymology

The term derives from the German root übr- meaning remainder or rest, related to the adjective übring/übrig in older usage. It shares its origin with similar constructions in other Germanic languages describing what remains after a portion has been allocated or considered.

See also

Other related terms include rest, restlich, übrig, and related phrases like im Übrigen. The concept is widely used in everyday language, formal writing, and enumerations to distinguish the remaining items from those already mentioned.