scheidende

Scheidende is a Dutch present participle and attributive adjective derived from the verb scheiden, meaning to separate or to divorce. It is used to describe someone or something that is currently undergoing separation or involved in a process of separation.

In everyday language, scheidende can modify a noun: scheidende partners, scheidende ouders, scheidende echtgenoten (the partners, parents, or spouses who are in the process of divorcing). In formal or legal contexts the term appears in phrases such as scheidende partijen (the parties who are separating) or scheidende echtgenoten. The noun scheiding is used for the state of divorce or separation, while scheidende emphasizes the ongoing process.

Scheidende is formed by adding the present participle suffix -ende to the verb scheiden. It shares a semantic field with related terms like scheiding (divorce) and scheiden (to separate), and is part of standard Dutch vocabulary. It should not be confused with older or less common variants such as scheidend.

Grammar-wise, when used attributively before a noun, scheidende typically takes the standard adjective agreement: de scheidende partner, de scheidende ouders. The term is neutral and widely understood in journalism, legal language, and social reporting.

Alternatives and related terms: in everyday speech people may instead say die aan het scheiden is or die in scheiding ligt if they prefer a periphrastic construction. See also scheiding, scheiden.