grundsätzlichen

Grundsätzlichen is the declined form of the German adjective grundsätzlich (and relatedly grundsächlich), used to describe something as fundamental, basic or principled. It is not a standalone word, but an inflected attributive form that appears before a noun. The ending -en typically appears when the adjective follows a definite determiner or in certain plural or case forms.

Usage and forms

- With a definite article or determiner in plural, the form den grundsätzlichen Prinzipien, die grundsätzlichen Regeln, etc., is common. Example: Die grundsätzlichen Prinzipien des Rechtsstaats sind unverhandelbar.

- In singular phrases with a definite article, you can see dem grundsätzlichen Prinzip (masculine/neuter, dative) or der grundsätzlichen Regel (feminine, dative or genitive in some contexts). Example: Wir müssen dem grundsätzlichen Prinzip Rechnung tragen.

- Without a determiner, the adjective takes the strong declension: grundsätzliche Prinzipien, grundsätzliche Regeln. Example: Grundsätzliche Prinzipien sollten beachtet werden.

Meaning and nuance

- grundsätzlichen conveys a sense of fundamental importance or a principle-based approach, as opposed to incidental or superficial aspects.

- It is common in formal, academic, legal or policy-language and is often used to contrast with practical details or exceptions.

Relation to grundsätzlich/grundsätzlich

- The adverb grundsätzlich means “in principle” or “basically.” The attributive form grundsätzlichen (and related endings) derives from the same semantic field, tied to Grundsatz (principle) and fundamental notions.

- In everyday speech, speakers may also use grundsätzlich to mean essentially or generally, while grundsätzliche forms emphasize principled or foundational aspects when modifying nouns.

In summary, grundsätzlichen is a grammatically required inflected form used to describe fundamental principles or essential aspects in German, with its exact ending determined by case, number and determiner.