Volljährigen

Volljährigen is a term used in German-language civil law to refer to adults who have reached the age of majority. In ordinary usage as well as in legal contexts, the plural form die Volljährigen designates people who are legally considered adults. The adjective volljährig describes this status, while the noun forms der Volljährige (male), die Volljährige (female), and die Volljährigen (plural) are used to refer to adults as a group or as individuals.

In most German-speaking countries, the age of majority is 18. Reaching this age typically grants full civil capacity, meaning that adults can enter binding contracts, make independent legal decisions, and assume the principal duties and rights of adulthood. By contrast, individuals under 18 are generally considered not fully capable of certain legal acts without parental or guardian involvement, a distinction known as different degrees of legal capacity. Laws and regulations governing contracts, voting, and other rights reflect this difference.

The term volljährig and its noun forms appear frequently in legal texts, policy documents, and everyday language to distinguish adults from minors. The lowercase adjective form volljährig is commonly used in front of a noun (e.g., volljährige Bürger) and is declined according to grammar rules; the capitalized noun forms are used when referring to the persons themselves. Thus, volljährig serves both a descriptive role and a legal one, marking a defined status with important implications for rights and responsibilities.

In summary, volljährigen denotes adults who have reached the age of majority, most often 18, and who possess full legal capacity in German-speaking jurisdictions. It is a key concept in distinguishing between adult and minor rights, duties, and legal standing.