laufendes

Laufendes is the neuter singular form of the present participle laufend (to run, to operate) when used as an adjective without a determiner. It describes things that are currently in motion, operating, or ongoing in a general sense. The term is common in everyday German and appears in many fixed phrases and compound nouns.

Typical usages include phrases such as laufendes Wasser (running water), laufende Kosten (ongoing costs), and das laufende Band (the conveyor belt). In these examples, laufendes, laufende, or related endings reflect the noun’s gender, number, and case, with strong inflection used when there is no preceding article. For instance, neuter singular bare form: laufendes Wasser; masculine singular with a definite article: der laufende Tag; feminine plural with a definite article: die laufenden Kosten; neuter singular with a definite article: das laufende Band.

Etymology and meaning: the word descends from the verb laufen, meaning to run or to operate. The present participle laufend forms descriptors of ongoing processes or motion. Beyond literal motion, it can convey that a system, process, or piece of equipment is currently in operation.

Usage notes: laufendes functions both in physical descriptions (water, machinery) and in figurative contexts (ongoing projects, current affairs). As with other adjectives, the exact ending changes with gender, number, and case, and different endings arise when a definite or indefinite article is present.

See also: laufen, laufend, present participle.