bestehende

Bestehende is a German adjective formed from the verb bestehen, meaning to exist or to persist. In everyday language it commonly describes things that already exist or are in existence, such as conditions, objects, or states of affairs. The form kann also be used as a noun when capitalized as das Bestehende, referring to the existing state of affairs; in philosophy or social science it can denote the current order or reality.

As an attributive adjective, beste hende inflects according to gender, number and article. Examples:

- ein bestehendes System (neuter singular, indefinite article)

- das bestehende System (neuter singular, definite article)

- bestehende Systeme (plural, no article or strong declension)

- eine bestehende Lösung (feminine singular)

- die bestehenden Lösungen (feminine plural or with definite article)

The nominalized form Das Bestehende is used to speak about the existing state in a general sense, often in contrast to what is possible, desired, or potential. In philosophy, ethics, and sociology it may be contrasted with das Zukünftige (the future) or with das Mögliche (the possible).

Difference from related terms: beste hende emphasizes existence or current reality. It is distinct from vorhanden, which typically means available or on hand, and from bestehend as a participle describing ongoing existence in a more dynamic sense (e.g., ein bestehendes Unternehmen, a company that continues to exist).

See also: bestehen (to exist), Existenz, Bestand, das Bestehende.