praktischem

Praktischem is a form of the German adjective praktisch, used as a modifier in phrases where the noun it describes is in the dative case and there is no determiner present. It translates roughly as “practically useful” or “practical” in English. In German grammar, adjectives are declined to reflect the case, gender, and number of the noun. The ending -em on praktischem appears in the dative singular for masculine and neuter nouns when the adjective stands without a determiner (strong declension).

Examples of usage include: mit praktischem Werkzeug (neuter, dative singular, no determiner), mit praktischem Material (neuter), and bei praktischem Licht (neuter). In contrast, when a determiner is present, the endings change: dem praktischen Werkzeug, einem praktischen Material, or dem praktischen Licht. With a definite article, the form is dem praktischen, and with an indefinite article it is einem praktischen.

The underlying meaning of praktisch is “concerned with practice,” “useful,” or “handy,” and it is widely used in everyday language to describe objects, methods, or approaches that serve practical purposes rather than theoretical ones. The word is part of a family that includes the noun Praktik and the noun Praktikum, all of which derive from the same root centered on practice and action. Etymologically, praktisch traces to Latin practic-us through French or Dutch influences, and it has become a core term in German for distinguishing practical concerns from theoretical ones.

In summary, praktischem is the dative singular form used for masculine or neuter nouns when no determiner accompanies the adjective, reflecting the strong declension pattern of German adjectives.