gewachsene

Gewachsene is a German adjective form derived from the verb wachsen, meaning to grow. As a past participle, gewachsen can function as an adjective meaning grown, mature, or established. In attributive position before a noun it is declined like a normal adjective, for example: ein gewachsener Mann, eine gewachsene Frau, ein gewachsenes Kind, die gewachsenen Städte. The ending depends on gender, number and the article used.

In usage, gewachsene is common in formal or academic prose to describe things that have developed or matured over time, such as institutions, landscapes, or social structures. It conveys a sense of organic development and established size or complexity, and is distinct from erwachsen, which primarily refers to a person reaching adulthood rather than growth in general. The neuter form gewachsenes is used for neuter nouns, and the masculine form gewachsener for masculine nouns, with plural forms such as gewachsene in appropriate contexts.

Typical collocations include gewachsene Gesellschaft (a mature or established society), gewachsene Infrastruktur, gewachsene Strukturen, and phrases like eine gewachsene Ordnung (a well-established order). In some contexts the term can also emphasize resilience and long-standing adaptation.

Origin and grammar notes: gewachsene derives from wachsen and follows standard German adjective declension patterns after determiners. It is more common in written or high-register language and less frequent in everyday speech, where Zuschreibungen of maturity or establishment may be expressed with alternative phrasing.

See also: Wachsen, Gewachsen, Erwachsen.