optimistischen

Optimistischen is the inflected form of the German adjective optimistisch, meaning “optimistic.” It is not used as a standalone word but appears as a grammatical ending in various contexts when the adjective modifies a noun.

Etymology and meaning: The adjective optimistisch derives from the French optimiste, which comes from the Latin optimus meaning “best.” The noun form Optimismus exists in German to denote the broader concept of optimism. The form optimistischen specifically marks case, number, and gender through inflection in standard German grammar.

Grammar and usage: In German, adjectives are declined to reflect case, gender, and number, and after definite articles or other determiners they take the weak inflection. The ending -en shown in optimistischen is common in plural and in many singular contexts after definite determiners. Examples include: die optimistischen Aussichten (the optimistic prospects), mit den optimistischen Männern (with the optimistic men), der optimistischen Dame (the optimistic lady, genitive or dative depending on construction). The form also appears in phrases like “mit optimistischen Aussichten” where the determiner is absent and the adjective still carries the -en ending due to strong/weak inflection patterns.

Related terms: The related noun is Optimismus, and related adjectives include optimistisch in its base form. Synonyms include hoffnungsvoll and zuversichtlich; antonyms include pessimistisch and hoffnungslos.

Notes: Optimistischen is most common in plural or in singular contexts where the noun is masculine or neuter in dative or genitive forms after a definite article. The exact ending of the adjective varies with case, gender, and definiteness, but optimistischen is the typical form in many common phrases.