fachliche

Fachliche is a German adjective derived from Fach (field, subject, trade) plus the suffix -lich, and is used to describe what relates to a specific field or domain rather than general or universal aspects. In practical terms, it denotes subject-specific, technical, or professional aspects of knowledge, skills, or requirements.

The term frequently appears in business, education, and HR contexts. It is commonly paired with nouns such as Kompetenz (competence), Kenntnisse (knowledge), Anforderungen (requirements), and Verständnis (understanding). Examples include fachliche Kompetenz, fachliche Kenntnisse, fachliche Anforderungen, and fachliches Verständnis. In job advertisements and performance reviews, teams differentiate between fachliche (topic-specific) skills and persönliche or soziale (soft) skills.

Usage notes and translations: fachliche can be rendered in English as “subject-specific,” “technical,” or “domain-related,” depending on context. It emphasizes the content and standards of a particular field rather than general abilities. The form is the attributive version used before a noun (e.g., die fachliche Kompetenz). It varies in gender and number according to German grammar, with common compounds including die fachliche Kompetenz, die fachlichen Kompetenzen, or das fachliche Verständnis.

Etymology and related terms: fachliche derives from Fach combined with -lich. Related terms include fachlich (the adverbial or base form) and fachbezogen (field-related). The concept helps organize discussions of qualifications, especially when distinguishing between technical expertise and non-technical qualities.