Erkennbar

Erkennbar is an adjective in the German language meaning capable of being recognized or identifiable. It describes something that can be perceived, identified, or distinguished based on observable features, signs, or data. The term is often used to indicate that a pattern, characteristic, or result can be identified or distinguished from others.

In usage, erkennbar can describe both concrete and abstract phenomena. Predicative use: Die Spuren am Tatort sind erkennbar. Or: Es ist erkennbar, dass die Theorie noch Anpassungen braucht. With the phrase erkennbar an + Dativ, one points to specific features: Die Herkunft ist an bestimmten Merkmalen erkennbar. The word is common in scientific, academic, and everyday contexts to signal recognizability or identifiability.

Etymology and related forms: erkennbar is derived from erkennen (to recognize) with the suffix -bar, forming an adjective meaning “able to be recognized.” Related terms include unverkennbar (unmistakable) and Erkennung (recognition). The nuance differs: erkennbar emphasizes recognizability or perceptibility, while unverkennbar stresses certainty and distinctiveness.

Notes on usage: erkennbar is often used to describe evidence, patterns, or traits that allow identification. It is flexible across genres, from natural sciences to journalism. In contrast, unverkennbar conveys a stronger, almost obvious quality, whereas erkennbar can be more tentative or context-dependent.

In sum, erkennbar marks the capacity for recognition in features, data, or conclusions, serving as a concise descriptor of perceptibility or identifiability.