preußische

Preußische is the inflected form of the German adjective Preußisch, meaning "Prussian." It is used to describe things related to Prussia, a historic state that played a central role in German and European history. In German grammar, preußisch becomes preußische before feminine singular nouns and before all plural nouns, for example die preußische Geschichte (Prussian history) and die preußischen Gesetze (Prussian laws). It can also appear after a definite article as das preußische Reich (the Prussian Realm).

Historically, the adjective appears in a wide range of contexts associated with the Kingdom of Prussia and later the Free State of Prussia, as well as with institutions, geography, and culture connected to Prussia. Common usages include preußische Armee (Prussian army), preußische Verwaltung (Prussian administration), and preußische Provinzen (Prussian provinces). In many periods, the term carried political and cultural connotations tied to Prussian statehood, bureaucratic efficiency, military tradition, and central authority.

In contemporary German, preußische is primarily found in historical or descriptive writing. It is less common in everyday speech except when discussing historical topics, regional identity, or institutions that retain historical ties to Prussia. The term remains a standard linguistic tool for attributing features to Prussia without implying current political status, since the Prussian state was dissolved after World War II, with its legal and territorial legacy embedded in later German history.