Betroffene

Betroffene is a German noun used to refer to people who are affected by a specific event, situation, or condition. The term emphasizes the humans involved and their perspectives, rather than the incident itself. It is commonly used in healthcare, policy, media, and research to describe those whose lives are touched by something meaningful, such as illness, disaster, or legal changes.

Grammatically, der Betroffene is the masculine singular form, die Betroffene the feminine singular form, and die Betroffenen the plural form. In everyday language, the plural Betroffene is used generically to include all genders. The term can appear in formal and informal contexts, often in statements about rights, needs, or protections for people who are affected.

Usage and nuances: Betroffene is preferred when aiming for neutral, person-centered language. It can apply to patients, victims, relatives, witnesses, or residents impacted by policies or events. For example: Die Betroffenen wurden in einem Informationsgespräch über die nächsten Schritte informiert. Die Betroffenen klagen über die Wartezeiten. In some contexts, other terms like Opfer, Erkrankte, or Teilnehmende may be more precise, but Betroffene remains useful to avoid stigmatization and to focus on individuals rather than labels.

See also: In social sciences and journalism, Betroffene is often paired with Kontext or Gruppe, as in Betroffene eines Ereignisses or Betroffene einer Krise, to specify the scope and population under discussion.