distinguished / noble
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distinguished / elegant
Elegant, stylish, and suggestive of a high social class. Refers to appearance, behavior, or origin.
Sie trug ein sehr vornehmes Kleid und sprach mit gewählten Worten.
She wore a very elegant dress and spoke in carefully chosen words.
'Vornehm' (distinguished / noble) derives from 'vor' (before, in front of) and 'nehmen' (to take). Originally, it meant someone or something that is 'taken before' others, meaning that it stands in first place. This explains both the meaning 'elegant, of high rank' and 'most important task'.
Sie stammt aus einer vornehmen Familie.
She comes from a distinguished family.
The meaning 'most important' or 'primary' is almost always expressed by the superlative form 'vornehmste' (foremost). It is usually followed by a noun such as 'Aufgabe' (task), 'Pflicht' (duty), or 'Ziel' (goal).
Die vornehmste Aufgabe der Presse ist die Kontrolle der Regierung.
The foremost task of the press is to monitor the government.
In the meaning 'restrained', 'vornehm' (dignified) is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'vornehme Zurückhaltung' (dignified restraint). One can 'üben' (exercise) or 'zeigen' (show) this restraint.
Trotz der Beleidigung übte er vornehme Zurückhaltung.
Despite the insult, he exercised dignified restraint.
For the meaning 'elegant', 'vornehm' is often combined with places, people, or things associated with the upper class: 'ein vornehmes Restaurant' (an elegant restaurant), 'ein vornehmes Viertel' (an upscale district), 'eine vornehme Dame' (a distinguished lady), 'vornehme Kleidung' (elegant clothing).
Zum Abendessen gingen wir in ein sehr vornehmes Restaurant.
For dinner, we went to a very elegant restaurant.
mainly
'hauptsächlich' and 'vornehm' can both express that something is especially important. However, their usage is very different. 'Hauptsächlich' is a normal adverb and means 'above all' or 'primarily'. 'Vornehm' in this meaning is an adjective and sounds elevated or somewhat formal. You often hear it in phrases such as 'die vornehmste Aufgabe' (the foremost duty/task). For everyday sentences, 'hauptsächlich' is usually more natural. 'Vornehm' fits better when describing an important task or duty in a particularly solemn way.
Die vornehmste Aufgabe der Ärztin ist es, ihren Patienten zu helfen.
The doctor's foremost duty is to help her patients.
Im Gespräch geht es hauptsächlich um die neue Wohnung.
The conversation is mainly about the new apartment.