laufender

Laufender is a German adjective form derived from laufen, meaning to run or to be in progress. In ordinary use it describes something that is currently happening, ongoing, or operational. The form is inflected to agree with gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

Common usages include attributive phrases such as der laufende Prozess (the ongoing process) and die laufenden Kosten (the ongoing costs). The form also appears in measurement contexts, for example ein laufender Meter Stoff, meaning one running (linear) meter of fabric. In compounds and fixed terms, the word is often written as part of established expressions, such as Laufmeter (unit of length) or laufende Systeme, depending on the specific noun it accompanies.

Grammatical notes: laufender is the masculine singular nominative (or accusative) form used with a definite or indefinite article before a masculine noun, as in der laufende Meter? or ein laufender Meter. For feminine and plural nouns, other endings are used, for example die laufenden Kosten. The participial origin of laufend means the term retains a sense of progression or continuity, which is reflected in many of its contexts.

In German, laufend can also appear as a standalone adverb or adjective meaning “ongoing” or “in progress,” while laufender specifically marks the masculine singular attributive form. The concept is closely related to other German terms denoting duration or continuity, such as fortlaufend or stetig, though with nuanced usage mismatches depending on context.