Bestimmter

Bestimmter is the masculine singular attributive form of the German adjective bestimmt, meaning certain, definite, or designated. It appears when the noun it modifies is introduced by an indefinite determiner or a possessive determiner and the sentence is in the nominative case. In other words, eine bestimmte Mann? No; with eine indefinite article we use bestimmter for masculine nominative: ein bestimmter Mann. The form signals that the noun is particular or designated, but not previously identified.

In standard grammars, bestim- endings vary by case, number, and determiner. For masculine singular nominative after an indefinite article or a possessive determiner, the form is bestimmter (for example, ein bestimmter Mann, mein bestimmter Plan). In other cases the ending changes: for instance, einen bestimmten Mann (accusative) or einem bestimmten Mann (dative). The feminine and plural forms differ as well (z. B. eine bestimmte Frau, bestimmte Leute).

Common usage and meaning: bestimter conveys specificity or designation, equivalent to English “a certain” or “a particular” when combined with a masculine singular noun. It is frequently found in written and formal German, as well as in everyday speech.

Related concepts: bestimme is the stem used to form other inflected variants; the term is connected to the broader concept of the definite/indefinite distinction and to the German system of attributive adjective endings. Etymology traces to the adjective bestimmt, derived from the idea of being designated or settled.

See also: German adjectives, attributive endings, indefinite article, definite article, German grammar.