eigenem

Eigenem is a grammatical form in German rather than a standalone lexical item. It is the dative singular form of the adjective eigen, meaning “own” or “one’s own,” used in attributive position before a noun.

In practice, eigenem appears when the noun is masculine or neuter and the noun phrase is in the dative case without a definite determiner, as in strong declension. Examples include mit eigenem Auto (with one’s own car) or aus eigenem Interesse (out of one’s own interest). The form can also occur in fixed expressions where the noun is in the dative singular, such as in eigenem Antrieb or in eigenem Wohlbefinden. In other grammatical contexts, the ending changes according to gender, number, and determiner, for example dem eigenen Auto (dative with definite article) or mein eigenes Auto (possessive determiner with a neuter noun in nominative or accusative).

Originating from the Germanic word for “own,” eigen is frequently used to stress ownership or personal involvement. The inflected form eigenem aligns with German adjective declension rules, showing how adjectives adapt endings to case and gender in the absence or presence of determiners.

Usage notes:

- Eigenem typically accompanies nouns that refer to something personally owned or personally relevant.

- It is common in both written and spoken German, especially in phrases emphasizing personal ownership, responsibility, or motivation.

See also: eigen, Eigentum, possessive adjectives, German declension.