Anwendenden

Anwendenden is a gender-inclusive German noun used to refer to people who apply, use, or implement something, such as software, methods, or procedures. It is formed as a participle-based nominalization of the verb anwenden and is used to avoid gendered combinations like Anwenderinnen und Anwender or similar alternatives.

Grammatically, the singular form is der Anwendende or die Anwendende, and the plural is die Anwendenden. As a participle-derived noun, it functions like other agent nouns in German and is typically declined according to the surrounding case (e.g., mit den Anwendenden, den Anwendenden). In many texts it appears as a neutral, plural noun referring to all users regardless of gender.

Usage and context: Anwendenden appear primarily in technical writing, user documentation, and discussions about human-centered design or digital services. They serve to address or describe the group of users collectively without specifying gender. Example: Die Anwendenden können die Funktion durch einen Klick aktivieren. In practice, writers may choose between Anwendenden and other inclusive forms such as Anwenderinnen und Anwender or Nutzende, depending on style guides and audience familiarity.

Reception and considerations: The term is part of a broader ongoing debate about German gender-inclusive language. Some style guides and organizations endorse participle-based inclusions like Anwendenden for conciseness and inclusivity, while others prefer established pairs or new neutral nouns (e.g., Nutzende). Acceptance can vary by field, region, and readership, and clarity should guide its use.

See also: Gender-inclusive language in German; Anwender/In; Nutzende.