Anständiger

Anständig is a German adjective meaning decent, proper, or respectable. It is used to describe behavior, standards, or appearances that conform to social norms or expectations. The comparative form is anständiger and the superlative is am anständigsten. In predicative use one can say, for example, Er ist anständiger geworden (He has become more decent), while attributive use appears as ein anständiger Mann (a decent man).

Noun forms related to the concept include Anstand (decency, propriety) and Anständigkeit (the quality of being decent). The noun Der Anständige (the decent one) can be used, but more common in everyday language are phrases like eine anständige Person or ein anständiger Mensch. The term is typically positive, though it can carry ironic or critical tones depending on context or voice.

Usage notes: Anständig emphasizes conforming to commonly accepted norms of behavior, politeness, and moral propriety. Its negation, unanständig, denotes indecent or improper conduct. In some contexts, especially in political or rhetorical speech, anständig may be used to praise conformity or, conversely, to critique perceived hypocrisy, depending on tone.

Etymology: Anständig derives from Anstand (decency, propriety), with the suffix -ig forming an adjective from the noun. The concept is related to ethical and social norms governing conduct and appearance.

Translations: English equivalents include decent, proper, respectable. In usage, choosing anständig communicates that someone or something meets or exceeds expected standards of behavior.