eigenständig

Eigenständig is a German adjective describing autonomous, independent, or self-standing autonomy. It refers to the ability of a person, organization, or entity to act, decide, or exist without external control or supervision, and to function as an independent unit within a larger system.

Etymology: The term derives from eigen- meaning one’s own or characteristic, combined with -ständig from stehen, indicating something that stands on its own. The compound became common in the 19th century and is widely used in legal, administrative, academic, and everyday language.

Usage and nuance: Eigenständig emphasizes internal autonomy and an independent status within a given framework, rather than merely the absence of external support. It is often used for entities with their own responsibilities or competencies, such as eine eigenständige Abteilung (an autonomous department), eine eigenständige Forschungsgruppe (an independent research group), or eine eigenständige Schule (an autonomous school). It can also describe decisions, processes, or ideas that are made or function independently, for example eine eigenständige Lösung or ein eigenständiges Urteil.

Comparison with related terms: Selbstständig is sometimes used interchangeably but often carries the sense of being self-employed or capable of acting independently with responsibility; autonom denotes self-rule or self-government and is common in technical or political contexts; unabhängig means not dependent on others. The choice depends on context and nuance.

See also: Selbstständigkeit, Autonomie, Unabhängigkeit.