par excellence
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par excellence
Used after a noun to emphasize that this noun is the purest or most perfect form of something; the epitome of something.
Diese Aufnahme von Beethovens 5. Sinfonie gilt als die Interpretation schlechthin.
This recording of Beethoven's 5th Symphony is considered the interpretation par excellence.
'Schlechthin' (par excellence) is a postposed adverb. It always stands directly after the noun it emphasizes. This position in the sentence is very unusual for adverbs in German and is a fixed rule for this word.
Für viele Kritiker ist dieser Film der Western schlechthin.
For many critics, this film is the Western par excellence.
This word belongs to an elevated, formal style of language. It is used to strongly emphasize a statement and present something as the perfect example of its kind. In everyday colloquial speech, it often sounds unnatural.
Goethes „Faust“ gilt als die deutsche Tragödie schlechthin.
Goethe's 'Faust' is considered the German tragedy par excellence.
Although the word begins with 'schlecht' (bad), it has no negative meaning. It is derived from the old word 'schlicht' (simple, absolute). 'Schlechthin' therefore means 'plain and simple' or 'the epitome of'.
Diese Sängerin ist der Popstar schlechthin.
This singer is the pop star par excellence.
at all / generally
'überhaupt' and 'schlechthin' can both strengthen a statement, but they do this in different ways. 'überhaupt' is often used when speaking about something generally or in principle. It can also appear in questions and negative sentences. 'schlechthin' usually comes after a noun and means that something is considered a perfect or typical example. Learners may confuse the words because both sound strong. In practice: 'überhaupt' fits general statements like 'das wichtigste überhaupt' (the most important thing of all). 'schlechthin' fits expressions like 'der Klassiker schlechthin' (the classic par excellence) or 'das Symbol schlechthin' (the ultimate symbol).
Für viele Menschen ist Paris die Stadt der Liebe schlechthin.
For many people, Paris is the city of love par excellence.
Das war überhaupt keine gute Idee.
That was not a good idea at all.