vertrautem

Vertrautem is a form of the German adjective vertraut, which means familiar or trusted. It is used as an attributive modifier and indicates that the noun it describes is known well, trusted, or intimately known. The form is specifically the dative singular ending -em for masculine or neuter nouns when there is no determiner providing gender and case information.

Grammatical use and examples

Vertrautem occurs in the strong declension, where the adjective carries the endings without a preceding article or determiner. For example, in the phrase in vertrautem Umfeld, both Umfeld (neuter) and the adjective receive the -em ending in the dative singular. Another example is mit vertrautem Blick, where Blick is masculine and the dative singular ending -em appears on the adjective. When a definite article or a determiner is present, different endings are used (for instance, dem vertrauten Mann or das vertraute Gesicht).

Etymology and related concepts

The adjective vertraut derives from the verb vertrauen (to trust) with the prefix ver-, and its sense broadened to denote something well known or intimate. Related nouns include Vertrautheit (familiarity, closeness) and vertrauen (to trust).

Usage notes

Vertrautem is not the only possible form of the word; its exact ending changes with case, number, gender, and article. In singular dative neuter or masculine nouns without a determiner, the form vertrautem is typical. With a determiner, other endings such as vertrauten or vertraute may appear depending on grammar and style.