vortrefflich
excellent
Particularly good, outstanding, and of high quality.
EXAMPLE
Ihre Leistung bei der Prüfung war vortrefflich.
Her performance on the exam was excellent.
vortrefflich
excellent
vortrefflich – vortrefflicher – am vortrefflichsten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry vortrefflich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | vortrefflich |
|---|---|
| comparative | vortrefflicher |
| superlative | am vortrefflichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to vortrefflich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to vortrefflich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to vortrefflich.
Usage tips
Elevated style
'Vortrefflich' (excellent) belongs to an elevated register and often sounds somewhat old-fashioned today. In casual conversation, it can also be used deliberately for humorous effect.
EXAMPLE
Der Gastgeber dankte für die vortreffliche Bewirtung.
The host expressed his thanks for the excellent hospitality.
Typical collocations
Common combinations include 'eine vortreffliche Idee' (an excellent idea), 'eine vortreffliche Wahl' (an excellent choice), and 'ein vortrefflicher Wein' (an excellent wine). These combinations express strong praise.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Hotel haben Sie eine vortreffliche Wahl getroffen.
You have made an excellent choice with this hotel.
Expressing suitability
A typical expression is 'sich vortrefflich für etwas eignen' (to be excellently suited to something). Here, 'für' takes the accusative case; 'vortrefflich' (excellent) emphasizes how well something suits the stated purpose.
EXAMPLE
Der helle Raum eignet sich vortrefflich für einen Malkurs.
The bright room is excellently suited to a painting class.
In real life
Loading video examples...