einschlägige

Einschlägige is the attributive form of the German adjective einschlägig and is used to describe something that is relevant, applicable, or pertinent to a specific matter. It is commonly found in formal, technical, and legal language, as well as in policy and academic writing.

In use, einschlägige modifies feminine singular and plural nouns or any plural noun, with the form einslägige appearing before the noun (for example, eine einschlägige Erfahrung, einschlägige Vorschriften, einschlägige Belege). In predicative position one would say, for example, Die Vorschriften sind einschlägig. The nuance is that the described item directly relates to or fits the particular context rather than being broadly general.

Typical collocations include einschlägige Erfahrungen (relevant experience), einschlägige Rechtsvorschriften (relevant legal provisions), and einschlägige Belege (relevant evidence). The term signals that a criterion, example, or source is specifically suitable for the issue at hand, rather than merely useful in a general sense. It is especially common in curricula vitae, legal or regulatory documents, policy papers, and scientific or technical writing.

Related terms and concepts include einschlägig regarding relevance, zutreffend (pertinent), relevant, and anwendbar (applicable). The noun form Einschlägigkeit exists but is rare and typically reserved for meta-discussions about relevance. Overall, einschlägige is a pragmatic, formal option to express that something directly applies to a given context.