Geachtet

Geachtet is the past participle of the German verb achten and is also used as an adjective meaning “respected” or “esteemed.” It describes persons, institutions, or judgments that are held in high regard. As a participle, geachtet can form a passive sense in phrases like “von vielen geachtet werden”; as an adjective, it directly modifies a noun, for example “eine geachtete Persönlichkeit.”

Grammatically, geachtet behaves like a standard participial adjective and is declined according to gender, number, and case (ein geachtetes Mitglied; eine geachtete Institution; das geachtete Urteil). In predicative position it can appear as “Er ist geachtet,” indicating that someone is respected, and it is also used in formal contexts to convey respect toward the subject.

Usage notes include its prevalence in formal or elevated language. In modern correspondence, the standard greeting is “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,” while “Sehr geachtet” is considered old-fashioned or ceremonial, historically found in addresses such as “Sehr geachtete Damen und Herren.” The form “hochgeachtet” is a common intensifier, as in “eine hochgeachtete Persönlichkeit,” to denote very high esteem.

Geachtung is the corresponding noun meaning esteem or regard. It appears in phrases like “Geachtung genießen” or “unter Geachtung stehen,” referring to the level of respect accorded to someone or something. Related terms include Respekt, Achtung, and Wertschätzung. An antonym is geächtet, meaning ostracized or shunned.

In sum, geachtet denotes earned respect or esteem and is used primarily in formal or descriptive contexts, as either a participle or an adjective, with the related noun Geachtung capturing the broader notion of regard.