Unregelmäßige

Unregelmäßige is the attributive form of the German adjective unregelmäßig, meaning not regular or lacking a fixed pattern. It is used before plural nouns to describe items that do not conform to a standard rule or cadence. Common examples are unregelmäßige Verben (irregular verbs), unregelmäßige Muster (irregular patterns) and unregelmäßige Arbeitszeiten (irregular working hours). The ending of the adjective follows standard German declension rules: in the nominative plural it takes -e (unregelmäßige Verben), and in other cases the ending changes to unregelmäßigen, unregelmäßigen, etc., depending on case, article, and specificity.

As an adverb, the related form unregelmäßig describes how something is done, meaning irregularly. For example: Die Züge fahren unregelmäßig (The trains run irregularly). The adverbial use is distinct from the attributive adjective but shares the same root meaning.

Substantivation is also possible: Unregelmäßige can be used as a noun meaning “the irregulars,” i.e., things or people that do not follow the usual rules. When used in this nominal sense, it is capitalized: die Unregelmäßigen. This usage appears mainly in classifications within linguistics, sociology, or descriptive lists.

Etymology and scope: the term combines un- (not) with regelmäßig (regular). While most common in grammar to refer to irregular verbs, the word applies to any pattern, rule, or schedule that does not align with the regular norm.