Klingelnde

Klingelnde is the present participle form of the German verb klingeln, used as an attributive adjective meaning “ringing” or “bell-like.” It describes something that emits a ring or bell sound, such as a bell, phone, or alarm. The form is derived from the stem klingel- plus the participle suffix -nde and then inflected like an ordinary German adjective.

Grammatical use and inflection

As an adjective in attributive position, klingelnde declines according to gender, number, and case. For example:

- eine klingelnde Glocke (feminine singular, nominative) = a ringing bell

- ein klingelnder Gong (masculine singular, nominative) = a ringing gong

- das klingelnde Telefon (neuter singular, nominative) = the ringing telephone

- die klingelnden Glocken (feminine plural, nominative) = the ringing bells

Without a definite or indefinite article, klingelnde takes the strong declension, as in:

- klingelnde Glocken (plural, no article) = ringing bells

Relationship to related forms

Klingelnde is closely related to klingeln, the verb meaning “to ring.” The base participle form klingelnd also exists and can function as an adjective with the same meaning, while das Klingeln is the noun form meaning “the ringing.” The distinction between the participle used as an adjective and the noun form is typical of German grammar and affects syntax but not the core meaning.

Usage notes

Klingelnde frequently appears in descriptive or poetic writing to convey ongoing ringing. It can describe objects, sounds, or events characterized by a ringing sound, and is common in everyday language for phrases like klingelnde Telefone or klingelnde Glocken.