Bestehens

Bestehen is a German term with several related meanings, expressed as a verb and as a noun. As a verb, es means to exist or to endure: for example, “Die Stadt besteht seit dem Mittelalter” (the town has existed since the Middle Ages) or “Das Unternehmen besteht weiter” (the company continues to exist). It also means to consist of or to be made up of: “Der Baum besteht aus Stamm, Ästen und Blättern.” In another sense, bestehen means to pass or succeed in an examination: “Sie hat die Prüfung bestanden.”

As a noun, das Bestehen denotes existence or continuity, especially the ongoing existence of a thing or the continuation of a legal or contractual status. For instance, “das Bestehen eines Vertrags” refers to the continued validity or effect of a contract. In legal or administrative language, the term can appear alongside phrases like Fortbestehen (continued existence) or Bestand (stock, inventory) is sometimes used in related but different contexts.

Etymology and grammar: besteht forms come from be- plus stehen, linking the idea of standing, existing, or continuing. The standard past tense forms are bestand (simple past) and bestanden (past participle). The noun das Bestehen is feminine, and typical collocations include das Bestehen der Existenz, das Fortbestehen des Rechts, or das Bestehen einer Prüfung.

Usage notes: Bestehen is common in everyday speech as a versatile verb, while das Bestehen as a noun tends to appear in more formal, legal, or technical contexts. It should not be confused with Bestanda or Bestand, which have different meanings such as stock, inventory, or a stored collection.