dünnem

Dünnem is the dative singular form of the German adjective dünn when used without a preceding determiner. It represents the strong inflection of the adjective, which occurs in contexts where no article or determiner is present. In practice, dünnem appears in phrases describing a masculine or neuter noun in the dative case, for example in a prepositional phrase.

Common usage occurs with prepositions that govern the dative and do not require a definite article, such as aus, mit, or in. Examples include aus dünnem Holz (from thin wood), mit dünnem Stoff (with thin fabric), and in dünnem Licht (in dim light). Note that this form is not used with definite articles or possessive determiners, where the adjective would take a different ending (for example, dem dünnen Mann after a definite article).

Etymology and related forms: the adjective dünn comes from Old High German and related Proto-Germanic roots meaning “thin” or “narrow,” and it shares cognates with similar words in other Germanic languages. Dünnem is one of the inflected forms that arise in the German adjective system when no article is present, specifically for masculine or neuter nouns in the dative singular.

Usage notes: while dünnem is correct in appropriate bare-adjective contexts, many speakers prefer using a determiner (like einem dünnen Mann or dem dünnen Mann) and thus would use a different ending on the adjective. In written German, dünnem often appears in concise or descriptive phrases, especially in technical or literary styles.