gedrängte

Gedrängte is a German adjective meaning “crowded” or “pressed close together.” It describes people, spaces, or situations where space is limited and items or individuals are pushed together.

Grammatical notes: Gedrängte is derived from the verb drängen (to push or crowd). As an attributive adjective with a definite article, it takes the form gedrängte for masculine, feminine, and neuter singular nouns (der gedrängte Mann, die gedrängte Frau, das gedrängte Kind). In the plural with a definite article, the form is gedrängten (die gedrängten Menschen). In other positions, such as after a possessive determiner or without an article, the endings follow standard adjective declension rules. When used predicatively after sein, werden, etc., the form is gedrängt (e.g., Die Menge ist gedrängt).

Usage and nuance: Gedrängte describes physical crowding or tightness, such as in a gedrängte Menge, ein gedrängter Bus, or eine gedrängte Atmosphäre. It can convey a sense of discomfort or high density, and is commonly used in descriptions of urban transport, queues, markets, or events. As a synonym, überfüllt or eng can be used in many contexts, though gedrängt emphasizes the sense of being pressed together.

See also: Drängen (to push), Beengung (confinement), Überfüllung (overcrowding).