Erklärender

Erklärender is a German adjective and present participle derived from erklären, meaning to explain. When used, it denotes something that explains or clarifies and thus has an explicative function. The term is common in educational, technical, and journalistic contexts to label passages, explanations, or styles that aim to make a subject more comprehensible.

Grammatical use and forms. As an attributive adjective it declines like other weak/mixed declension forms in German. Examples: der erklärende Text (the explanatory text), die erklärende Einleitung, das erklärende Diagramm. With an indefinite article: ein erklärender Text, eine erklärende Bemerkung, ein erklärendes Diagramm. Without an article: erklärender Text, erklärende Bemerkung, erklärendes Diagramm. The plural form is erklärende Texte. If used as a noun, capitalized, Erklärender (the explainer) or Erklärende can refer to a person who explains; plural Erklärende.

Usage and nuance. Erklärender emphasizes the function of explanation rather than mere description. It contrasts with related terms such as erklärlich (explainable) and erläutern (to elucidate). In technical writing, educational materials, and expository prose, an erklärender tone or Abschnitt signals that the content is designed to clarify complex material for the reader.

See also. Related German terms include erklären (to explain), erläuternd (elucidatory, clarifying), and erklärlich (explainable). The noun form Erklärender or Erklärende is used when referring to a person who explains rather than to the object described as explanatory.