Erstklassig

Erstklassig is a German adjective used to describe something of top quality, first-rate, or premium. It is commonly applied to goods, services, experiences, and performances, signaling a high standard of excellence. The term is widespread in everyday language and in advertising, where it functions as a strong affirmational descriptor.

The word is formed from erst (first, foremost) and Klasse (class, quality category) with the adjectival suffix -ig, yielding a one-word form: erstklassig. It is closely related to the English phrase “first-class.” The expression Erste Klasse exists separately in historical and transport contexts to denote the top class of service or seating, but it is not used as a direct synonym for the adjective in modern descriptions.

Usage notes: attributive use—ein erstklassiges Hotel, erstklassige Qualität; predicative use—Das Konzert war erstklassig. The term spans luxury consumer goods, hospitality, cuisine, arts, and travel. In more formal or technical writing, alternatives such as hochwertig or ausgezeichnet may be preferred, but erstklassig remains common in media and marketing.

See also: Erste Klasse, First class, Qualitätsbezeichnungen. The word remains a conventional, positive evaluative term in German and is readily understood across German-speaking regions.