Schwächsten

Schwächsten is the plural superlative form of the German adjective schwach, meaning weakest. It is used to describe the individuals or groups that are least strong or most vulnerable within a given context. In everyday language it appears as die schwächsten (the weakest), and can be part of phrases such as unter den Schwächsten or die schwächsten Mitglieder der Gruppe.

Grammatically, schwächsten is an attributive form that agrees with the noun in case, number, and gender. For example: die schwächsten Menschen (nominative or accusative plural), den schwächsten Menschen (dative plural). The substantive form Schwächsten can be used when the group itself is meant as a concept, for instance Die Schwächsten in der Gesellschaft, where the capitalized noun denotes a social category.

In usage, schwächsten commonly appears in political, social, and humanitarian discourse to refer to the most vulnerable segments of society, such as children, the elderly, or economically disadvantaged groups. It is often paired with verbs and phrases that imply protection, support, or policy focus, for example: Die Schwächsten benötigen besondere Unterstützung; Wir müssen die Schwächsten schützen.

Etymologically, schwach derives from older Germanic roots meaning lacking strength, with the superlative suffix -sten forming das schwächsten as the superlative plural. The term is everyday in German and is used in formal written language as well as in media and civil discourse.

See also: schwach, Stärke, Schutz von Schwächsten, Soziale Gerechtigkeit.