heruntergekommene
Heruntergekommene is a German adjective meaning dilapidated, run-down, or in a state of neglect and decay. It is commonly used to describe buildings, neighborhoods, or infrastructure that have deteriorated due to aging, lack of maintenance, or economic decline. The term carries a strong visual and negative connotation and is frequent in journalism, travel writing, and literature when portraying social or urban decline. It can also describe institutions or facilities that have fallen into disrepair.
Etymology and forms: The word comes from the prefix herunter- (down) and kommen (to come), with the
Usage and nuances: The term is descriptive and often emphatic, suitable for concrete observations about physical
Related terms and contrasts: Synonyms include verfallen, verwahrlost, verlottert, and abgewirtschaftet. The noun form Die Heruntergekommene