ausgezeichnet
excellent
Describes something as excellent, outstanding, or of very high quality.
EXAMPLE
Das Essen im neuen Restaurant war wirklich ausgezeichnet.
The food at the new restaurant was truly excellent.
ausgezeichnet
excellent / awarded
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
ausgezeichnet
award-winning
Describes a person or achievement that has been recognized with a prize, medal, or another official honor.
EXAMPLE
Der für seine Forschung ausgezeichnete Wissenschaftler hielt einen Vortrag an der Universität.
The scientist, who had been awarded for his research, gave a lecture at the university.
Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Ausgezeichnet' (excellent / awarded) is the past participle of the verb 'auszeichnen' (to distinguish / award). 'Auszeichnen' means to single out something or someone as special, either through an honor or because of high quality. The adjective also has this double meaning.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein für seine Romane ausgezeichneter Autor.
He is an author awarded for his novels.
Position in the sentence
In the meaning 'excellent', 'ausgezeichnet' (excellent) often stands alone after a verb. In the meaning 'honored/awarded', it usually stands directly before a noun, often followed by an explanation with 'für' (for) or 'mit' (with).
EXAMPLE
Der Service in diesem Hotel ist ausgezeichnet.
The service in this hotel is excellent.
Style and register
As a synonym for 'sehr gut' (very good), 'ausgezeichnet' (excellent) is a strong and somewhat elevated expression. It gives special weight to a positive evaluation.
EXAMPLE
Ihre Präsentation war nicht nur gut, sie war ausgezeichnet.
Her presentation was not just good; it was excellent.
Signal words for honors
When 'ausgezeichnet' means 'honored' or 'awarded', you often find a preposition such as 'mit' (with), e.g. 'mit einem Preis' (with a prize), or 'für' (for), e.g. 'für seine Verdienste' (for his services/achievements), which describes the honor more precisely.
EXAMPLE
Die Forscherin wurde für ihre Entdeckungen mit dem Nobelpreis ausgezeichnet.
The researcher was awarded the Nobel Prize for her discoveries.
Compare with
ausgezeichnet vs hervorragend
excellent / protruding
Hervorragend and ausgezeichnet both evaluate something as excellent and of very high quality. In this area, they are usually interchangeable; depending on the context, ausgezeichnet can also express an official honor, but that meaning is not relevant here. Use either word for a very positive assessment of quality.
ausgezeichnet
Die Schülerin hat bei der Prüfung eine ausgezeichnete Leistung gezeigt.
The student gave an outstanding performance on the exam.
hervorragend
Die Schülerin hat bei der Prüfung eine hervorragende Leistung gezeigt.
The student gave an excellent performance on the exam.
In real life
Loading video examples...