erwünschten

Erwünschten is a German term that can function in two main ways: as a finite verb form and as an attributive adjective form. The base verb is erwünschen, meaning to wish for or to desire something.

As a finite verb, erwünschten is the simple past (Präteritum) form used with plural subjects, specifically wir and sie/Sie. It expresses that something was wished for in the past. For example: Wir erwünschten uns einen Sieg. Sie erwünschten sich bessere Arbeitsbedingungen. In contemporary usage, many speakers prefer the present or perfect with wünschen or gewünscht, but erwünschten remains correct in the past-tense sense.

As an adjective, erwünschten can appear in plural noun phrases where the participle of er-wünschen is used in attributive position, often after a definite article. In this role it conveys the sense of “desired.” For example: Die erwünschten Ergebnisse wurden veröffentlicht. In everyday German, however, the more common adjective form is gewünscht, as in Die gewünschten Ergebnisse.

Etymology and related forms: erwünschen is a composite of the prefix er- and wünschen (to wish/desire). The prefix er- adds a sense of attainment or completion. The past participle of er-wünschen is erwünscht, which as an adjective is more frequent in modern usage, while the Präteritum form in plural is erwünschten.

Usage notes: Erwünschten may be regarded as formal or literary compared with wünschen (to wish) or gewünscht (desired). Its meaning overlaps with English “desired” or “wished-for.” The exact form for other grammatical persons differs from the plural Präteritum form.

See also: wünschen, gewünscht, erlangen.