wahrgenommen

Wahrgenommen is the past participle of the German verb wahrnehmen, meaning to perceive, notice, or become aware of something through the senses or by paying attention to information. The term covers noticing physical stimuli such as sounds or smells as well as recognizing facts, events, or situations.

Etymology: The verb is formed from wahr (true) and nehmen (to take). Historically, the sense is to take something as true or real, which broadens to the act of perceiving or noticing.

Usage and grammar: Wahrgenommen is used with the auxiliary haben to form perfect tenses, as in Ich habe den Ton wahrgenommen. It can also occur in passive constructions, for example Der Ton wurde wahrgenommen. In contexts of perception over time or during reporting, it often functions to indicate that something has been detected or registered by someone.

Semantics and nuance: Wahrnehmen emphasizes the act of sensing or recognizing something, rather than merely seeing or hearing. It can convey a broader range of perceptual experiences, including subtle cues or information that becomes apparent. In social language, the phrase als wahrgenommen describes how a person or thing is perceived by others, for example, Er wird von Kollegen als kompetent wahrgenommen.

See also: Wahrnehmung, Wahrnehmungspsychologie, Beobachtung.