künftigem

Künftigem is a German adjective form derived from künftig, meaning future or coming. It is not a standalone noun, but the inflected form the adjective takes in a specific grammatical context: the dative singular of masculine or neuter nouns when there is no determiner.

Declension and usage context

In German, adjectives can take different endings depending on case, gender, and the presence of articles or determiners. The form künftigen, künftige, künftiges, and künftigem correspond to these endings. Specifically, künftigem is the strong declension form used for dative singular masculine or neuter nouns without a determiner. Examples include künftem Mann (dative masculine) and künftem Jahr (dative neuter). In other contexts, different endings appear: for example, dem künftigen Mann or dem künftigen Jahr (with a definite article) use the weak ending -en.

Examples

- In künftigem Jahr sollen neue Maßnahmen umgesetzt werden.

- In künftiger Zeit erwarten Experten Fortschritte.

- Die künftigen Jahre könnten neue Herausforderungen bringen.

Related forms and variants

The related forms künftige (nominative/accusative feminine or plural), künftiges (nominative/accusative neuter), and künftigen (plural and certain dative/formal contexts) illustrate the standard German adjective declension pattern for the word künftig. The precise ending depends on case, gender, and whether a determiner is present.

Etymology and usage

künftig derives from the German word for future or upcoming. As a grammatical form, künftigem appears predominantly in written or formal prose, forecasts, plans, and legal or official language where adjectives modify nouns in the dative singular without a determiner. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer phrasing that reduces ambiguity or uses a determiner.