genannter

Genannter is a German adjective form derived from the past participle genannt of the verb nennen, meaning named or aforementioned. It is used to indicate that the noun it modifies has already been named or referred to earlier in the text. In formal writing, genannter serves as a concise way to express “the aforementioned” or “the named.”

Grammatically, genannter can appear in several declension patterns depending on article and case. With no article (strong declension), correct masculine nominative is genannter Mann, feminine nominative is genannte Frau, and neuter nominative is genanntes Ding. With a definite article, as in der genannte Mann, the strong endings are replaced by the weak ones, yielding der genannte Mann, die genannte Frau, das genannte Ding, and corresponding forms in other cases (dem genannten Mann, des genannten Mannes, etc.). With an indefinite article, mixed endings apply, for example ein genannter Mann, eine genannte Frau, ein genanntes Ding.

Genannter can also be used as a noun when capitalized, functioning as a nominalized participle meaning “the named one” or “the person mentioned.” Plural form is die Genannten.

Usage notes: genannter is common in academic, legal, and journalism contexts to avoid repetition by referring to an already introduced subject. It should not be confused with other participles or with forms of nennen used in different constructions. While largely synonymous with “aforementioned,” genannter conveys a precise referential relation to a prior mention.

Etymology: from the verb nennen plus the past participle genannt, with standard German adjective inflection and, when capitalized, noun formation. See also aforestated terms in English: aforementioned, above-mentioned.