parenthesen

Parenthesen is the plural form of the German noun Parenthese, referring to the punctuation marks used to enclose text within a sentence. In German typography, a Parenthese typically denotes the curved marks ( and ), and is one member of the broader category Klammern, which includes square brackets and curly braces.

Usage: Parenthesen are used to insert clarifications, asides, or supplementary information without breaking the main line of text. They may enclose acronyms, dates, or cross-references. The punctuation around a parenthetical element follows standard rules: if the parenthetical material is a complete sentence, the period is often placed inside the closing parenthesis; otherwise, punctuation generally remains outside.

Variants and nesting: The round parenthesis is the standard form; in specialised or technical writing, square brackets or curly braces are used for nested or layered material. When nesting is required, the different shapes help distinguish levels of asides or notes.

Contexts and equivalents: Outside German-language typography, the equivalent term is parentheses in English. In computing and mathematics, parentheses denote grouping and function calls, a use that aligns with their role in text as a means of adding optional or clarifying content. In German-language scholarship, the term Parenthesen is commonly encountered in discussions of punctuation rules, typography, and style guides.

See also: Klammern, Parenthese.