fortdauernd

Fortdauernd is an adjective in the German language that denotes something that lasts or continues over a long period without interruption. It is used to describe conditions, phenomena, or states that persist, sometimes with emphasis on endurance or persistence beyond mere momentary duration. The term is often found in formal or written language, such as medical, legal, or philosophical texts, and is less common in casual speech where synonyms like dauerhaft, dauerhaft, or andauernd might be preferred.

The etymology traces to fort- meaning forward or onward and dauernd meaning lasting or enduring. The compound conveys a sense of ongoing, uninterrupted continuation across time. While similar to andauernd and ständig, fortdauernd often carries a stronger sense of endurance through time and of an ongoing process rather than a simply repeated occurrence.

In usage, fortdauernd can modify nouns describing enduring conditions: fortdauernde Schmerzen (persistent pain), fortdauernde Belastung (ongoing load), or in a sentence such as Die Gefahr ist fortdauernd. It can appear in constructions with the noun Fortdauer, referring to the continued existence or persistence of a state or condition.

Related terms include andauernd, and ständig, which are more common in everyday language, and fortlaufend, which emphasizes successive progression. Understanding the nuance helps in selecting the appropriate term in formal writing, where fortdauernd signals a sustained, long-lasting quality.