Errungenen

Errungenen is a German adjective form derived from the verb erringen, which means to obtain, win, or achieve through effort. As a descriptive term it denotes something that has been earned or secured, such as titles, prizes, or reputations. The expression is most commonly encountered in attributive use, where the ending of the adjective changes according to gender, number, and case.

In terms of morphology, errungenen appears as an inflected form after a definite determiner in several cases. Examples include den errungenen Titel (masculine singular accusative), der errungenen Leistung (feminine singular dative), and die errungenen Preise (plural nominative). The form also appears in the plural dative as den errungenen Siegen. The related neuter singular forms without the -en ending occur as das errungene Werk (neuter singular nominative or accusative). In short, errungenen is part of the weak declension pattern that follows definite articles.

Nominally, the word can also be realized as a noun in the form das Errungene, meaning “the achievement” or “the thing that has been accomplished.” This nounized usage emphasizes the result or product of achievement rather than the process.

Usage notes: errungenen is used to emphasize legitimacy or earned status, often in formal or evaluative contexts such as sports results, awards, or historical accomplishments. It is closely related to, but distinct from, synonyms like verdient (deserved) or erlangt (gained).

See also: Errungenschaft, erringen, earned, achievement.