hervorragend
/hɛɐˈfoːɐraːɡənt/
The English word 'outstanding' can be translated into German as hervorragend. Wiktionary also lists ausgezeichnet.
Meaning: distinguished from others by its superiority (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| hervorragend | /hɛɐˈfoːɐraːɡənt/ |
| ausgezeichnet | [ˈaʊ̯sɡəˌtsaɪ̯̯çnət] (narrow) [ˌaʊ̯sɡəˈtsaɪ̯̯çnət] (narrow) |
Both hervorragend and ausgezeichnet are used to describe something distinguished by its superiority. While hervorragend often carries a sense of being extraordinary or surpassing expectations, ausgezeichnet is a common way to say something is excellent or top-notch.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, hervorragend must take various endings depending on the gender, number and case of the noun it modifies, such as hervorragende for feminine or plural nominative/accusative.
How do you pronounce it?
/hɛɐˈfoːɐraːɡənt/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'outstanding' to mean both 'excellent' and 'unpaid' (like an outstanding debt), German uses completely different words for these contexts. Using hervorragend to describe a debt would be quite humorous and confusing.
- While ausgezeichnet means 'outstanding', its root zeichnen means 'to draw' or 'to mark'. It literally describes something that has been 'marked out' as special.
- The word hervorragend literally means 'sticking out' or 'protruding'. It comes from heraus meaning 'out' and ragen meaning 'to reach or project'.
Examples in context
- Tom leistet hervorragende Arbeit.Tom does outstanding work.This sentence is useful for describing the quality of work using hervorragend.Tatoeba #5164181 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5162554 by CK
- Er spricht ausgezeichnet Englisch.He speaks outstanding English.This sentence is useful for describing language skills using ausgezeichnet.Tatoeba #12287619 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12289085 by Miktsoanit
- Sie ist eine hervorragende Dichterin.She is an outstanding poet.This sentence is useful for describing a person's profession using hervorragend.Tatoeba #642249 by virgil, translation #315823 by CK
- Die Präsentation war einfach hervorragend.The presentation was simply outstanding.
- Seine Fähigkeiten sind außergewöhnlich.His abilities are outstanding.
- Das Essen hier ist echt spitze!The food here is really outstanding!
- Deine Idee ist einfach genial!Your idea is simply outstanding!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are discussing a recent music concert.
- JulianDas Konzert war wirklich hervorragend.The concert was truly outstanding.
- SarahJa, die Musik war fantastisch.Yes, the music was fantastic.
- JulianDer Pianist war besonders gut.The pianist was especially good.
- SarahEr hat eine hervorragende Technik.He has outstanding technique.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outstanding” translations and entries hervorragend, ausgezeichnet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
