ordentliche

Ordentliche is a German adjective meaning several related things depending on context, including proper, orderly, regular, or ordinary. As an attributive adjective it accompanies a noun and agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. Its basic sense is close to “proper” or “regular,” while in everyday language it can also convey the sense of “ordinary” or “usual.”

Etymology: ordentliche derives from ordnung (order) with the suffix -lich, forming ordentliche, the attributive form of ordentlich. The stems and endings reflect standard German adjective declension patterns.

Grammar and usage: Ordentliche is commonly used in front of a noun in definite or indefinite contexts. Examples:

- Der ordentliche Mann kam pünktlich. (masculine singular, nominative)

- Die ordentliche Frau kocht gern. (feminine singular, nominative)

- Das ordentliche Kind schläft früh. (neuter singular, nominative)

- Eine ordentliche Frau/Ein ordentlicher Mann/Eine ordentliche Leistung. (indefinite article forms; endings depend on gender)

- Die ordentlichen Männer arbeiten zusammen. (plural with definite article)

Institutional and formal usage: In organizational or official language, ordentliche describes regular or normal sessions and assemblies, contrasted with außerordentliche (extraordinary or exceptional). Examples include ordentliche Generalversammlung or ordentliche Sitzung, indicating the regularly scheduled gathering as opposed to an extraordinary one summoned outside the usual timetable.

Notes: The word is common for describing standard or expected conditions and is widely used in legal, corporate, and administrative German, as well as in everyday speech. The exact ending shifts with the article and the noun’s gender and number, following standard German adjective endings.

See also: ordnung, ordentlich (the adverbial or base form), außerordentlich.