Gefundenen

Gefundenen is a grammatical form in the German language derived from the verb finden (to find). It is the past participle gefunden taking an attributive plural ending -en, used when it modifies a plural noun with a definite determiner. In this use the phrase signals that the items have been found. For example: die gefundenen Beweise (the found pieces of evidence), die gefundenen Artefakte (the found artifacts). The ending -en reflects the weak inflection pattern adjectives take after definite articles in the plural.

Grammatical function and variations

Gefundenen appears only in contexts where the noun it modifies is plural and has a definite article or a determiner that requires weak inflection. In other cases the ending changes according to German declension rules: den gefundenen Hinweisen (dative plural), der gefundenen Beweise (genitive plural), die gefundenen Dinge (nominative or accusative plural). The form is primarily an attributive adjective; it is not typically used as a stand-alone verb participle in everyday language.

Nominalization and related forms

The past participle can also be nominalized as Gefundene, meaning “the found thing” or “the found items.” In that case it is capitalized and used as a noun, e.g., Das Gefundene muss dokumentiert werden. A plural nominalization, Die Gefundenen, is uncommon but possible in contexts where the group of found items or found persons is being referred to collectively.

Usage note

Gefundenen is common in written German, especially in reports, summaries, or descriptive passages where objects or pieces of evidence are described as having been located. It should not be confused with the capitalized Gefundene (noun) or with unrelated proper nouns.