Regelmäßige

Regelmäßige is the inflected form of the German adjective regelmäßig, used to describe something that occurs at regular intervals, follows a routine, or aligns with a rule. In everyday language it refers to processes, events, or patterns that are predictable and systematic. The form itself is not usually used as a stand-alone noun, though adjectives in German can be nominalized in some contexts.

Etymology and meaning: regelmäßig derives from regel (rule, regulation) and -mäßig (in the manner of, like). The combination conveys a sense of conformity to a rule or a fixed rhythm. The word has broad application across many domains, including timekeeping, health, work, and scheduling.

Usage and grammar: Regelmäßige appears as an attributive adjective before a noun and takes endings according to case, gender, number, and article. Examples include: die regelmäßige Prüfung (feminine singular, nominative), der regelmäßige Termin (masculine singular, nominative), die regelmäßigen Termine (plural, nominative). With an indefinite article: ein regelmäßiger Termin, eine regelmäßige Aufgabe. When used predicatively, forms would align with the noun they describe, as in Die Termine sind regelmäßig.

Contexts and examples: The term appears in contexts such as regular payments, regular medical doses, or regular meetings. Phrases like regelmäßige Einnahme, regelmäßige Abstände, and regelmäßige Arbeitszeiten are common in professional and everyday German, signaling consistency and predictability.

See also: regelmäßig, Regelmäßigkeit, Routine.