Bedeutend

Bedeutend is an adjective in the German language that describes something with considerable importance, significance, or impact. It is used for people, events, discoveries, or quantities when their relevance goes beyond the ordinary.

Etymology and range: Bedeutend derives from bedeuten, “to signify,” and is related to Bedeutung, meaning “meaning” or “significance.” As an adjective, bedeutend is common in formal or academic contexts, but it also appears in everyday speech to emphasize importance.

Usage and examples: You can say “eine bedeutende Entdeckung” (a significant discovery), “eine bedeutende Rolle spielen” (to play a major/important role), or “eine bedeutende Summe” (a substantial amount). In negation, “unbedeutend” means insignificant, and “bedeutungslos” can also be used, though with a slightly different nuance. The phrase “von Bedeutung” or “von großer Bedeutung” expresses importance.

Grammar and inflection: Bedeutend is declined like other adjectives. With definite articles: der bedeutende Mann, die bedeutende Frau, das bedeutende Ereignis; with indefinite: ein bedeutender Mann, eine bedeutende Frau, ein bedeutendes Ereignis; in plural: die bedeutenden Männer, Frauen, Ereignisse. Comparative: bedeutender; superlative: am bedeutendsten.

Related terms and nuance: Bedeutungen related to the concept of meaning include Bedeutung and bedeutungsvoll (meaningful, significant). Antonyms include unbedeutend (insignificant) and bedeutungslos (meaningless), though the latter often carries a stronger negative nuance.