beurteilend

Beurteilend is a German adjective and present participle formed from the verb beurteilen, meaning to judge or evaluate. It characterizes processes, attitudes, or statements that involve assessment or forming judgments. For instance: beurteilende Haltung (a judgmental or evaluative stance); beurteilende Kommentare (judgmental comments).

Etymology and grammar: It is derived by adding the suffix -end to beurteilen. As an attributive adjective it agrees with the noun: beurteilende Kriterien; predicative use: Er wirkt beurteilend. The term can be used with various nouns; plural forms include beurteilende Kriterien, beurteilende Aussagen.

Usage and nuance: The word can be neutral in professional contexts describing a process of evaluation, such as in scientific or educational settings. Often, beurteilend carries a negative connotation in everyday language, implying unsolicited or harsh judgments. English translations include evaluative (neutral) or judgmental (negative). In educational contexts, beurteilend may describe teacher remarks or feedback that evaluates student performance.

Related terms: beetwerdere, Bewertend and urteilend are related concepts. Bewertend means evaluative in a more neutral sense, while urteilend emphasizes the act of forming judgments and can carry a stronger negative tone. The choice among these terms depends on nuance and context.