sogenannte

Sogenannte is a German attributive adjective meaning “so-called.” It introduces a label or designation that is widely used or claimed, but it often signals doubt about the status, legitimacy, or accuracy of that label. The expression is common in journalism, critique, and everyday language, for example die sogenannte Wissenschaft or die sogenannten Experten.

Grammatically, sogeannte is declined like a regular adjective that follows a determiner. Its form changes with case, gender, and number: der sogenannte Mann (masculine singular, nominative), die sogenannte Wissenschaft (feminine singular), die sogenannten Experten (plural). With indefinite articles or without articles, endings differ, for instance ein sogenannter Wissenschaftler or sogenannte Wissenschaften depending on the context. The base form is sogennant- with suitable ending.

Nuance and usage. The term often conveys skepticism or a distance from the label rather than a neutral description. It can be neutral in some contexts but frequently carries a critical or ironic tone, for example when referring to media labels, political concepts, or contested claims. Its use can signal that the speaker questions the authority, accuracy, or appropriateness of the designation.

Relation to similar terms. Sogenannte differs from angeblich (alleged) and other qualifiers by emphasizing that the label itself is contested or debatable, rather than asserting the truth of the claim. Its appropriateness depends on tone and context; overuse can undermine perceived objectivity in serious discourse.