verantwortlichen

Verantwortliche is a German term used primarily as a noun to denote the people who are responsible for a task, decision, incident, or policy in a given context. In the singular, the masculine form is der Verantwortliche and the feminine form die Verantwortliche; in the plural, die Verantwortlichen refers to the individuals in charge or accountable. The word is commonly found in organizational, administrative, journalistic, and legal contexts.

Etymology and meaning: Verantwortliche derives from the adjective verantwortlich (responsible) and is nominalized to designate those who bear responsibility. It is closely linked to related nouns such as Verantwortung (responsibility) and Verantwortlichkeit (accountability or liability), which describe the broader concept behind the designation of the Verantwortlichen.

Usage and applications: The term is used to identify who holds decision-making authority or accountability within a project, institution, event, or incident. Examples include corporate governance, public administration, risk management, and media reporting. Phrases like Die Verantwortlichen des Vorfalls wurden identifiziert or Welche Maßnahmen ergreifen die Verantwortlichen, um das Problem zu beheben illustrate its practical function.

Distinctions: Verantwortliche as a noun differs from verantwortlicher (adjective form or masculine noun) and from the general noun Verantwortung. The plural form may refer to mixed-gender groups of people in charge.

In summary, Verantwortliche serves as the standard German label for “the people responsible” in formal and professional discourse, with gendered and plural variants that reflect standard German noun inflection.