nebensächlichen

Nebensächlich is a German adjective meaning of secondary importance, peripheral, or minor in relation to the main issue. The form nebensächlichen is an inflected ending of the adjective, used in phrases such as die nebensächlichen Details or den nebensächlichen Details. The term originates from Neben- (“beside”) and Sache (“matter, thing”), conveying the idea of a matter that lies beside the central topic. The related noun form is Nebensache, and the abstract noun Nebensächlichkeit denotes the quality of being peripheral.

Usage of nebensächlich typically contrasts with wesentliche, which means essential or principal. In formal and analytical writing it is common to distinguish zwischen wesentlichen und nebensächlichen Aspekten, thereby filtering what is central from what is peripheral. Nebensächlich can describe facts, details, or issues that do not affect the core argument or outcome. For example: Die nebensächlichen Details können wir weglassen. Das ist lediglich eine Nebensache; die Hauptfrage bleibt unbeantwortet. Such usage can be neutral, but it may also carry a mildly dismissive tone if overused.

Grammar and forms: In attributive position the adjective shows endings according to gender, number, and case. With a definite article, you encounter forms such as die nebensächlichen Details (nominative plural). Without an article, strong inflection yields nebensächliche Details (nominative plural). The related noun forms include Nebensache and Nebensächlichkeit, used to refer to a side issue or to the quality of being peripheral, respectively.