gebliebener

Ge blieberner? The word gebliebener is an attributive form of the past participle bleiben and functions as an adjective meaning remaining or left over. It derives from the verb bleiben (to stay or to remain) and the prefix ge- that marks participles in German. As an adjective, gebliebener describes things that persist after an event, process, or depletion.

Morphology and usage notes

Gebliebener is inflected like a typical German adjective when used before a noun. With a definite article, the form is gebliebene (e ending), as in der gebliebene Rest. With an indefinite article, the form is gebliebener (er ending), as in ein gebliebener Rest. The choice of ending depends on gender, number, and case. Common masculine nouns that take gebliebener include Rest, Teil, und similar countable items. In neuter or feminine contexts, other endings apply, for example das gebliebene Stück or eine gebliebene Aufgabe.

Noun form

The participle can also function as a noun in the form das Gebliebene, meaning “the remainder” or “what remains.” This noun is more formal or literary and is capitalized.

Usage and examples

- Ein gebliebener Rest des Kuchens war noch süß. (A remaining rest of the cake was still sweet.)

- Der gebliebene Teil des Berichts enthielt die wichtigsten Ergebnisse.

- Das Gebliebene blieb unbekannt, bis weitere Untersuchungen stattfanden.

Relation to verwandte Begriffe

Gebliebener is closely related to verbleibend, another adjective meaning remaining, and to verbleiben (to remain). Gebliebener emphasizes the state of having stayed behind, while verbleibend is often used in technical or formal contexts.