selbstständiges

Selbstständiges is not typically used as a stand-alone term in German. It is the attributive form of the adjective selbstständig and appears before a neuter noun without an article, for example in phrases like selbstständiges Lernen or selbstständiges Arbeiten. The expression conveys the ability to act with a degree of independence, to plan, decide, and carry out tasks without continuous guidance.

In educational contexts, selbstständiges Lernen refers to an learning outcome that emphasizes initiative, self-monitoring, and the use of one’s own resources. It aligns with competencies such as problem solving, critical thinking, and self-management. In professional settings, selbstständiges Arbeiten describes an operating mode in which employees organize their tasks, meet deadlines, and seek solutions with limited supervision. The concept is widely used in curricula, job descriptions, and performance assessments as a marker of autonomous work habits.

Related terms include Selbstständigkeit (the state of being self-sufficient or self-employed) and der/die Selbstständige (the self-employed person). While selbstständig can describe a person or an activity, the noun forms are capitalized: Selbstständigkeit and der Selbstständige. In legal and economic contexts, self-employment involves specific tax and social security implications that vary by country.