gewisser

Gewisser is a German attributive adjective meaning "certain" or "particular." It is used to refer to a person or thing without specifying identity, similar to the English "a certain." The form varies according to gender, number, and case, and it is most commonly seen in phrases with the indefinite article.

In the nominative singular, the masculine form is gewisser (as in ein gewisser Mann). The feminine form is gewisse, and the neuter form is gewisses (as in ein gewisses Problem). In the plural, the form is gewissen or gewisse depending on the noun and determiner (e.g., die gewissen Männer, die gewissen Probleme). With the definite article, the endings are der gewisse Mann, die gewisse Frau, das gewisse Problem, and die gewissen Leute.

Usage and nuance: gewisser conveys indefiniteness with a hint of specificity, signaling that the speaker has a particular, but unnamed, example in mind. It is common in written and formal prose, as well as in journalism, to anonymize or generalize by referring to a “gewisser Mann” or “gewisse Gründe.” In everyday speech, speakers may opt for more explicit phrases like eine bestimmte Person or einige Gründe.

Etymology and related forms: gewisser derives from the adjective gewiss, meaning certain or sure, with standard German attributive-declension endings. Related words include Gewissheit (certainty) and the adverbial form gewiss, as in gewiss, meaning certainly.