verstandenen

Verstandenen is the plural form of the German noun Verstandene, a participial noun derived from the verb verstehen, meaning to understand. It designates people who are understood, have insight, or are deemed to possess understanding. The term appears mainly in historical, philosophical, or literary contexts and is not a common label in everyday contemporary German.

Etymology and form: Verstandene is built on verstehen and functions as a nominalized participle. The singular forms are der Verstandene (masculine) and die Verstandene (feminine); the plural is die Verstandenen. The term can carry evaluative nuance and may be used neutrally, critically, or stylistically, depending on context.

Usage and nuance: In older philosophical or religious writings, Verstandene may refer to those who grasp essential truths or genuine insight, contrasted with others who do not. It can denote a social or intellectual group regarded as having understanding, similar in some ways to notions like “the intelligentsia,” though it is not a standardized term for a formal class. In modern German, more common expressions for such ideas include verständige Personen or die Intelligenten.

Examples: Die Verstandenen diskutierten die Folgerungen der Theorie. In a critical tone, der Text spricht von einer Gruppe der Verstandenen, die sich gegen die Oberflächlichkeiten der Zeit stellt.

See also: Verstehen, Verstand, Verständige, Intelligentsia.