errungene

Errungene is a German term that can function as either the past participle form of the verb erringen or as a noun das Errungene meaning “the achievement” or “what has been attained.” As a past participle, errungen appears in perfect tenses with haben, as in er hat errungen meaning “he has attained.” When used as an adjective in attributive position, the participle takes endings according to gender, number, and case, for example der errungene Sieg (the achieved victory), die errungene Leistung (the achieved/attained performance), das errungene Ziel (the achieved goal). In plural: die errungenen Siege.

As a noun, das Errungene refers to something that has been achieved or attained; it is commonly used in formal, literary, or journalistic contexts to denote an achievement or milestone. The expression das bislang Errungene is a typical formulation to refer to “what has been achieved so far.” The noun emphasizes the result or product of effort.

Etymology and usage context: erringen is a compound of er- plus ringen (to contend, wrestle), meaning to win or attain through effort. The past participle errungen has been part of standard German since early modern times, and the noun form das Errungene has likewise become established in contemporary usage. The term sits on the line between a concrete achievement (errungene Leistung) and a broader reflection on outcomes (das Errungene in a historical or biographical narrative).

See also: Errungenschaft, Erringen, das Errungene.