Sachdienliche

Sachdienlich is a German adjective describing information, evidence, or actions that are useful or pertinent to a specific matter or objective. It is commonly used in legal, administrative, and journalistic contexts to characterize input that can meaningfully contribute to a case, investigation, decision, or procedure. The related noun is Sachdienlichkeit, referring to the quality of being relevant or serviceable for the matter at hand.

Etymology and form: the word combines Sache (matter, object) and dienlich (serviceable, useful). As an attribute it inflects with the noun it modifies, for example sachdienlicher Hinweis (masculine singular), sachdienliche Hinweise (plural). In legal language, a phrase such as sachdienliche Hinweise is frequently used to request information that could advance an investigation.

Usage and contexts: in policing and public administration, authorities often appeal for sachdienliche Hinweise from the public or stakeholders, meaning information that can directly aid the investigation or decision-making. In courts or formal reports, sachdienliche Beweise or sachdienliche Informationen indicate material, relevant inputs rather than merely interesting or speculative data. In everyday language, people may describe a tip or fact as sachdienlich if it helps clarify a situation or resolve a question.

Distinctions and notes: sachdienlich does not imply truthfulness or completeness; it denotes relevance and usefulness to a specific objective. It is a neutral, descriptive term rather than a value judgment about the overall quality of the information.

See also: Sachdienlichkeit, Hinweise, Beweise.