zweitklassig
second-rate
Of lower quality or performance and therefore not particularly good; mediocre or inferior.
EXAMPLE
Das Hotel bietet nur zweitklassigen Service.
The hotel offers only second-rate service.
zweitklassig
second-rate
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Meanings
zweitklassig
second-tier
Playing in or belonging to the second-highest division.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft spielt derzeit in einer zweitklassigen Liga.
The team is currently playing in a second-tier league.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry zweitklassig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | zweitklassig |
|---|
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 zweitklassig.
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 zweitklassig.
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 zweitklassig.
Usage tips
Word formation
In „zweitklassig“ (second-rate/second-tier), „zweit-“ (second-) indicates rank two, while „-klassig“ (-tier) assigns something to a class or tier. This classification can refer to a fixed rank or to quality.
EXAMPLE
Seit dem Abstieg ist der Verein nur noch zweitklassig.
Since being relegated, the club is now only second-tier.
Die Verarbeitung der Möbel ist leider zweitklassig.
The workmanship of the furniture is unfortunately second-rate.
Derogatory use
As a judgment of quality, „zweitklassig“ (second-rate) is clearly derogatory. Particularly when referring to people or their work, the word expresses harsh criticism; typical collocations include „zweitklassiger Schauspieler“ (second-rate actor), „zweitklassige Arbeit“ (second-rate work), and „zweitklassige Ware“ (inferior goods).
EXAMPLE
Die Kritikerin bezeichnete ihn als zweitklassigen Schauspieler.
The critic described him as a second-rate actor.
Use in sports
In sports, „zweitklassig“ (second-tier) is often used with „spielen“ (to play) or „sein“ (to be), without a noun following. Words such as „Aufstieg“ (promotion), „Abstieg“ (relegation), and „Saison“ (season) show that league membership is meant, and not necessarily poor performance.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Aufstieg spielt die Mannschaft in der kommenden Saison zweitklassig.
After gaining promotion, the team will play in the second tier next season.
In real life
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