anständigen

Anständigen is a German noun form derived from the adjective anständig, meaning decent, proper, or respectable. As a substantive, it typically refers to people who are considered to behave in a proper or morally acceptable manner. The term can denote a general social group or be used descriptively for individuals.

In the singular, the masculine noun is Der Anständige (the decent man). The feminine singular is Die Anständige (the decent woman). In the plural, Die Anständigen refers to the decent people as a group. The form Anständigen appears in declined cases: den Anständigen (dative plural) and der Anständigen (genitive plural). The base adjective remains anständig, with the noun forms functioning as a label for people who meet conventional standards of conduct.

Usage and nuance: Anständigen is typically neutral, describing people who act properly or are socially respectable. Depending on context, it can carry normative or evaluative undertones, and in some political or literary contexts it may be used ironically or to distinguish a perceived “respectable” group from others described as less proper, indecent, or outside the norm.

Examples: "Er gehört zu den Anständigen." (He belongs to the decent people.) "Die Anständigen fordern Transparenz." (The decent people demand transparency.) The term is often contrasted with Unanständigen (the indecent or improper) to highlight differing standards of behavior.

See also: anständig (adjective), Anständiger (masculine noun form), Anständige (feminine/plural noun form).