Prädikat

Prädikat is the part of a sentence that expresses what is stated about the subject. In grammar, it includes the finite verb and all elements that complete the verbal meaning, such as objects, adverbials, modal or auxiliary verbs, and other complements. The predicate conveys the action, process, or state attributed to the subject and may form a simple verbal phrase or a compound verbal structure in which auxiliaries and participles participate.

In German syntax the predicate typically carries the finite verb, whose form encodes tense and mood. In main clauses the finite verb generally occupies the second position, while in subordinate clauses it moves to the end. The predicate can be simple (one only verb) or compound (auxiliaries plus participle, infinitive constructions, etc.). Its internal order is flexible but centres on the verbal core, with other elements attached to express participants, circumstances and modalities.

Prädikativ, or predicative, refers to elements that describe or identify the subject via a non-verbal complement, typically after linking verbs such as sein, werden or bleiben. Examples include predicative adjectives like “müde” in “Er ist müde” or predicative nouns in “Er wurde Lehrer.” Predicatives provide property or role information about the subject rather than performing an action.

In logic and philosophy, the term Prädikat denotes a property or relation applied to one or more arguments. A predicate can be unary or of higher arity, such as P(x) for “x hat Eigenschaft P” or R(x, y) for a relation between x and y. Predicates form the core of predicate calculus and formal semantics, where they are applied to arguments to form propositions.