Aufwachsende

Aufwachsende is the present participle of the German verb aufwachsen, meaning to grow up or to come of age. In usage, it functions mainly as an attributive adjective describing people who are in the process of maturation—typically children or adolescents. The term highlights ongoing development, in contrast to adults who have completed the transition of growing up. It appears frequently in educational, sociological, and developmental contexts as well as in everyday language.

Etymology and grammar: formed from aufwachsen plus the suffix -ende, the participle can take appropriate endings to agree with gender, number, and case. Examples include das aufwachsende Kind (neuter singular), die aufwachsende Jugendliche (feminine singular), and die aufwachsenden Kinder (plural). In most contexts, it remains an attributive modifier; using it as a standalone noun is uncommon, though "die Aufwachsenden" can occasionally be found in more stylistic or journalistic prose, with preference often given to alternative formulations like heranwachsende Generation.

Usage and nuance: aufwachsende emphasizes the ongoing nature of growth and development, rather than a fixed state. It can refer to physical growth as well as psychological, social, or emotional maturation. The term is compatible with neutral, descriptive writing and is often paired with nouns denoting generations, age groups, or developmental stages.

See also: aufwachsen, heranwachsen, Jugend, Generation, Entwicklung.

Note: The term is primarily used in German-language writing; contexts in other languages may translate it as “growing up,” “coming of age,” or “young people in development.”