selbstgewählten

Selbstgewählten is the declined form of the German adjective selbstgewählt, meaning chosen by oneself or voluntarily selected. The base compounds from selbst (self) and wählen (to choose) and can function attributively or predicatively. As an attributive adjective, it follows the normal German declension patterns and adapts its ending to gender, number, and case. For example: eine selbstgewählte Aufgabe (feminine, singular), den selbstgewählten Weg (masculine, accusative, singular), die selbstgewählten Aufgaben (plural).

The term emphasizes that the choice was made by the subject themselves rather than imposed externally. It conveys voluntariness or self-direction and is commonly used to describe decisions, tasks, paths, topics, or life choices that a person has selected personally. In contrast to similar terms, selbstgewählt foregrounds the act of self-selection rather than mere voluntariness or external approval.

Common usage and nuances: selbstgewählt appears in contexts such as education, work, and personal life. Examples include selbstgewählte Schwerpunkte (self-chosen focal points), eine selbstgewählte Lebensführung (self-chosen lifestyle), or er geht einen selbstgewählten Weg. In journalism or literary contexts, the phrase can carry a tone of agency or self-determination, and it may be contrasted with externally imposed duties or roles. The related concept self-determination is captured by terms like Selbstbestimmung, while freiwillig and eigenständig convey related but distinct nuances.

In sum, selbstgewählt and its declined forms such as selbstgewählten express that something was chosen by the subject themselves, highlighting autonomy in the choice.