Pertinente

Pertinente is an adjective used in several Romance languages, most commonly Spanish and Portuguese, to describe something that is relevant, appropriate, or applicable to a matter at hand. It can modify information, arguments, questions, or considerations, signaling that they bear directly on the issue being discussed. In legal and academic contexts, the term is frequently used to indicate that certain evidence, references, or conclusions are germane to the topic.

Etymology and cognates: Pertinente derives from Latin pertinens, the present participle of pertinere “to pertain, belong to,” formed from per- “through, to” + tenere “to hold.” The word entered the Romance languages with the sense of belonging to or relating to a given subject. In modern Spanish and Portuguese, the form retains the sense of relevance; in French, the cognate pertinent/pertinente shares the same meaning and agrees with the noun’s gender.

Usage: In everyday language, pertinente signals relevance or applicability in discussions, questions, or documents. In law and scholarship, it marks information or evidence that directly bears on the matter under consideration. English speakers typically use pertinent or relevant; pertinente may appear in bilingual texts or as a loanword, but is uncommon as standard English.

See also: pertinence, relevance, pertinencia (Spanish noun), pertinence in French. The term emphasizes the connection between a subject and the matter being addressed, guiding judgments about usefulness or applicability.