Markante

Markante is the inflected form of the German adjective markant, meaning conspicuous, distinctive, or notable. It is used attributively before a noun to indicate that something stands out. The ending changes with gender, number, and case, for example: eine markante Linie (feminine singular), markante Linien (plural without a determiner), or die markanten Linien (plural with a definite article).

In usage, markant highlights visual or conceptual prominence and can describe architecture, landscapes, objects, or character. It does not imply a value judgment in itself but conveys that the feature is easily noticeable or characteristic. Common contexts include discussions of design, geography, or portraiture, where certain features define the overall impression.

Etymology and form: markant derives from the Germanic root mark- meaning sign or mark, combined with the adjectival suffix -ant, forming an adjective that describes something bearing a mark or standing out. The term is widely used in standard German and appears in both formal and informal texts.

Translations and nuance: In English, markant is often rendered as striKing or distinctive, depending on context. The word shares similarities with Dutch markant and French marquant, though nuances differ by language. Notable collocations in German include markante Merkmale (distinctive features), markante Konturen (distinctive contours), and eine markante Erscheinung (a striking appearance).