äußere

äußere is a German adjective meaning external, outer, or situated on the outside. It describes relations to the exterior of a thing, such as its appearance, surface, or boundary, and is frequently contrasted with inner (innere). The form is used before nouns to specify exterior aspects, as in äußere Hülle, äußere Oberfläche, or äußere Grenze.

Grammar and declension: As an attributive adjective, äußere declines like other German adjectives. After a definite article: der äußere Mann, die äußere Frau, das äußere Haus. After an indefinite article: ein äußerer Mann, eine äußere Frau, ein äußeres Haus. In plural, with a definite article: die äußeren Merkmale; without an article: äußere Merkmale. The endings align with standard adjective declension patterns in German.

Noun usage: Äußeres is a noun meaning exterior or outward appearance, capitalized as Das Äußere. It can refer to the exterior form of a person, object, or building, as in "das Äußere des Gebäudes" or "das äußere Erscheinungsbild." The noun form is commonly used to discuss appearance as a concept rather than a physical part.

Usage notes: The word is commonly used in contrast with Innere to distinguish exterior from interior aspects. When nominalized, the form Äußeres is capitalized; otherwise äußere remains lowercase as an adjective. The term appears across fields such as architecture, design, biology, and philosophy to describe exterior characteristics or appearances.

Etymology: The adjective derives from the German root auß- (outside) and the standard adjective inflection patterns, with umlaut and endings that reflect its gender, case, and number. The related noun Das Äußere reflects the same root used as a substantive form to denote exterior aspects.