beurlaubte

Beurlaubte is an entry in German linguistic and administrative usage that refers to people who have been granted a temporary absence from a duty, institution, or obligation. The term is used as a noun and, less commonly, as an adjective to describe someone who is currently on leave. In everyday language it appears in contexts such as the military, civil service, schools, and private employment.

Usage and contexts

Beurlaubte are individuals who do not attend their usual duties for a defined period while remaining officially in their role. The leave can be granted for a variety of reasons, including medical treatment, family matters, personal affairs, or official duties elsewhere. The formal grant of leave is typically subject to approval by a supervisor, commander, or relevant authority, and the terms—such as duration and whether the leave is paid or unpaid—depend on the governing rules of the relevant institution or employer. Beurlaubung is the act of granting such leave, while Urlaub generally refers to vacation time taken by the person, which may be related but is not always administratively identical to a Beurlaubung.

Grammar and synonyms

Grammatically, Beurlaubte can function as a plural noun for people on leave, with Beurlaubter (masculine) and Beurlaubte (feminine) as singular forms. The adjective beurlaubt describes someone who is currently on leave. Related terms include Freistellung (formal release from duties), Dienstfreistellung (release from duty for a specific purpose), and Urlaub (vacation), though Urlaub denotes personal vacation rather than an administrative leave.

Etymology

The word derives from Urlaub (leave or vacation) with the prefix be-, forming beurlauben (to grant leave) and Beurlaubung (the granting of leave). The concept is attested in military, civil service, and organizational contexts.