das Beste
the best
What is better than everything else; the finest or most valuable thing.
EXAMPLE
Das Beste am Urlaub war das gute Essen.
The best thing about the vacation was the good food.
das Beste
best
die Beste, die Besten
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Meanings
das Beste
the best
The most favorable or advantageous option, or the best possible result.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen aus der schwierigen Situation das Beste machen.
We have to make the best of the difficult situation.
das Beste hoffen
to hope for the best
To hope that something will turn out well despite an uncertain or difficult situation.
EXAMPLE
Die Untersuchung ist noch nicht abgeschlossen, aber wir hoffen das Beste.
The examination is not over yet, but we hope for the best.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Beste, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Besten |
| genitive | der Besten |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Beste | die Besten |
| accusative | die Beste | die Besten |
| dative | der Besten | den Besten |
| genitive | der Besten | der Besten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Substantivized adjective
'Das Beste' (the best) is the substantivized superlative of 'gut' (good). It is capitalized and declined like an adjective: 'das Beste' (the best), but 'sein Bestes geben' (to do one's best) and 'alles Beste' (all the best).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat bei der Prüfung ihr Bestes gegeben.
She did her best in the exam.
Wir wünschen euch für den neuen Lebensabschnitt alles Beste.
We wish you all the best for this new chapter in your life.
Fixed expression
The meaning of the most favorable option is expressed in the fixed phrase 'aus etwas das Beste machen' (to make the best of something). The dative is used after 'aus' (from/out of).
EXAMPLE
Auch aus einem kleinen Budget kann man das Beste machen.
You can make the best of even a small budget.
Expression of hope
In the expression 'das Beste hoffen' (to hope for the best), 'das Beste' (the best) is used directly as the object of 'hoffen' (to hope). The phrase is often used after uncertain or worrying news.
EXAMPLE
Wir fahren trotz der Sturmwarnung los und hoffen einfach das Beste.
Despite the storm warning, we're setting off and simply hoping for the best.
In real life
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