wohlhabenden

Wohlhabenden is the declined form of the German adjective wohlhabend, meaning wealthy or prosperous. It is used to describe people or groups with substantial financial means. In everyday language it appears most often in its plural attributive form after a definite article, for example die wohlhabenden Familien.

Usage and grammar

In plural with a definite article, the attributive form ends with -en: die wohlhabenden Menschen, die wohlhabenden Bürger. This form also appears in various cases: den wohlhabenden Menschen (dative plural) and der wohlhabenden Menschen (genitive plural). In the singular, the base adjective is wohlhabend, as in ein wohlhabender Mann or eine wohlhabende Frau. The word can also function as a noun when capitalized: die Wohlhabenden (the wealthy).

Meaning and nuance

Wohlhabend denotes a level of wealth and material security, often implying a contrast with middle-class or less affluent groups. The term is relatively neutral, though context can color its perception; political or cultural discussions may use it descriptively or critically, depending on stance and tone. It is common in journalism, sociology, and policy discourse when referring to wealth distribution, consumption patterns, or social stratification. Synonyms include reich, vermögend, and wohlhabend; the latter is slightly more formal or neutral in tone.

See also

Related concepts include Wohlstand (prosperity), Reichtum (wealth), and soziale Schichtung (social stratification). The term is part of German adjective declension and nominalization patterns that allow the same word to describe a group or serve as a noun for a socio-economic class.