ausstehendes

Ausstehendes is a German term that can function as both a noun and a form of the adjective ausstehend. It derives from the verb ausstehen, which means to remain due, to be outstanding, or to be unpaid or unresolved. As an adjective, ausstehendes appears in neuter singular forms such as ausstehendes Geld, das ausstehende Gehalt, or similar constructions where the meaning is “outstanding” or “pending.”

As a noun, often written as Ausstehendes (capitalized) or used in context with a definite article, it refers to the set of items that still require action or resolution. In business and administration, Ausstehendes is commonly used to summarize unresolved or pending items, such as payments, documents, or tasks. For example, Das Ausstehende umfasst alle offenen Posten, Rechnungen oder Anträge, die noch bearbeitet werden müssen. In practice, many speakers prefer more specific phrases like ausstehende Forderungen, ausstehende Zahlungen, or offene Posten, but Ausstehendes can appear as a category heading in reports or checklists.

Common collocations include ausstehende Forderungen (outstanding receivables), ausstehende Zahlungen (outstanding payments), and ausstehende Rechnungen (outstanding invoices). The term is widely understood in German-speaking contexts, especially in finance, accounting, and project management, where it helps distinguish pending items from completed ones.

Etymologically, Ausstehendes reflects the core idea that something “stands out” from a process because it has not yet been completed or settled. It contrasts with terms for completed or settled items.