Tatsächlichen

Tatsächlichen is the attributive, declined form of the German adjective tatsächlich, used directly before a noun to express real or factual qualities. While tatsächlich can function as an adverb meaning “in fact” or “really,” the form tatsächlichen appears when the adjective is declined to agree with the gender, number, and case of a noun in attributive position.

Etymology and form: The adjective tatsächlich derives from the noun Tatsache (fact) with the suffix -lich, yielding a meaning related to reality or fact. The ending -en in tatsächlichen reflects standard German adjective declension rules for certain combinations of case, number, and determiner. In practice, tatsächlichen appears most commonly in plural contexts or in singular masculine accusative with a determiner, among other forms.

Usage notes: Tatsächlichen is used when the adjective directly precedes a noun and must agree with it in gender, number, and case. Examples include plural nouns under definite or indefinite reference, such as Die tatsächlichen Kosten sind gestiegen (the actual costs have risen) or Die tatsächlichen Ergebnisse bestätigen die Hypothese (the actual results confirm the hypothesis). In predicative or adverbial use, one normally uses tatsächlich, not tatsächlichen, as in Es ist tatsächlich so (It is actually so).

See also: Tatsache, das Faktum, tatsächlich, Tatsächlichkeitsbegriff, Tatsächlichkeitsgrad. These related terms cover the noun form of fact (Tatsache), the adverbial use (tatsächlich), and concepts connected with actuality or factuality.