erfahrene

Erfahrene is a German term that can function as an adjective or as a noun. As an adjective, erfahrene describes someone or something that has gained knowledge or skill through practice or exposure, equivalent to English “experienced” or “seasoned.” It is used attributively and declines with gender, number, and case (erfahrener, erfah-renes, erfahrene, etc.).

When used as a noun, the form Erfahrene (capitalized) refers to a person or group considered experienced. The singular masculine form is der Erfahrene, the feminine singular die Erfahrene, and the plural die Erfahrenen. The noun tends to appear in contexts that contrast experienced people with novices or newcomers, such as unerfahrene.

Common contexts include employment, sports, or politics, where Erfahrene are valued for their knowledge. For example, erfahrene Fachleute or erfahrene Führungskräfte denote seasoned professionals or leaders. The term may also appear in discussions about mentoring, talent management, or generational change. In everyday language, many speakers prefer explicit phrases such as erfahrene Mitarbeiter or erfahrene Spieler rather than the bare noun.

See also related terms such as Erfahrung (experience), erfahren (to experience or to be informed), and unerfahren (inexperienced). The word reflects a broader linguistic pattern in German for distinguishing levels of know-how and competence, and it is commonly understood across German-speaking regions.