geehrten

Geehrten is a German term derived from the verb ehren, meaning to honor. In its nominalized form, die Geehrten, it refers to the people who have been honored or recognized, such as recipients of an award or participants singled out at an event. The word can appear capitalized when used as a noun (Geehrten) or as a lowercase participial adjective before a noun (die geehrten Gäste). The attributive form follows standard German grammar, for example: die geehrten Mitarbeiter, dem geehrten Jubiläum.

Usage and context: Geehrten is common in formal contexts, including ceremonies, program notes, certificates, and ceremonial addresses. It is gender-neutral in the plural, covering all recipients regardless of gender. In everyday language, speakers more often use phrases like die geehrten Gäste or die ausgezeichneten Personen; the simple noun form is most likely found in written or official contexts.

Distinctions: While die Geehrten emphasizes the status of those honored, the adjective form die geehrten Gäste describes the group more descriptively. In direct address, German usual salutations are Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, rather than using Geehrte as a direct vocative, though historical or ceremonial texts may occasionally employ alternatives.

Etymology and related terms: The term comes from ehren (to honor) with the participial suffix -t and the nominalizing -en. Related concepts include Ehrung (honor or award) and Ehrengast (honorary guest). The expression helps specify recognition within formal or ceremonial language while remaining distinct from more general terms for awardees.