Abgestandenes

Abgestandenes is a German adjective form used to describe something that has become stale, flat, or no longer fresh, especially liquids or air. It is commonly seen in phrases like abgestandenes Wasser, abgestandenes Bier or abgestandenes Brot. The form reflects the strong adjective ending used before neuter nouns in bare noun phrases, so that neuter singular examples include abgestandenes Wasser. With different nouns and articles the endings vary (for example, abgestandene Luft for feminine nouns, or abgestandener Wein for masculine nouns).

Usage and contexts

The term is most often employed for consumables and spaces where freshness matters. Water that has stood for a long time is described as abgestandenes Wasser; beer or wine can taste flat when it is abgestanden. Coffee or other beverages that have cooled significantly may also be labeled as abgestanden. In a broader sense, it can refer to air in a room that feels musty or stale, described as abgestandene Luft. While not inherently dangerous, abgestandenes products are generally considered unfavourable or past their optimal state.

Grammatical notes

Abgestandenes occurs as the neuter singular form in nominative or accusative position when no article accompanies the noun (e.g., abgestandenes Wasser). Other gender and article combinations yield corresponding inflections, such as abgestandene Luft (feminine, plural or with definite article) or abgestandener Wein (masculine).

See also

Stale, not fresh; terms describing food quality and air freshness in German.