vallend

Vallend is a Dutch term that functions as both the present participle and an attributive adjective derived from the verb vallen, meaning to fall. As a present participle, vallend describes action in progress and can be used to indicate something that is in the process of falling or descending. In written Dutch, it appears in descriptive or poetic contexts and can form phrases such as vallend water or vallende bladeren, though other expressions may be preferred depending on context.

Etymology and form: Vallend stems from vallen, with the standard present-participle suffix -end. When used as an adjective, it agrees with the noun it modifies (for example, vallende steen, vallende stenen). The related past participle is gevallen, which is used to form perfect tenses in verbs of vallen.

Usage notes: Vallend emphasizes ongoing motion rather than a completed action. Consequently, it is more common in literary or stylistic prose than in everyday speech. For unambiguous description of falling phenomena, Dutch speakers may opt for more conventional phrases or nouns, such as regen die valt (rain that falls) or dalende in contexts describing decline or decrease.

Variants and related terms: Vallend is closely related to its Germanic cognate fallend in German and the English falling. In Dutch, other descriptors like dalend or vallend weather terms are chosen to convey different nuances of motion or change.

See also: vallen, gevallen, dalen, regen.