die  Bestleistung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃtɛlʊŋ/

🏆 What exactly is a 'Bestleistung'?

The German word Bestleistung (feminine, article: die) refers to the best result or highest performance that a person, group, or even a machine has ever achieved in a specific field or discipline. It represents the peak of their ability or capacity to date.

• In sports: The fastest run, the highest jump, the most weight lifted – often called a persönlicher Rekord (personal record/best, PR).
• In work/profession: Achieving a sales target with the highest value, the most efficient project implementation.
• Technically: The maximum speed or efficiency a device has reached.

It serves as a benchmark for outstanding achievement and is often a goal to be surpassed. The word literally translates to 'best performance'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Focus: Die Bestleistung

The word "Bestleistung" is a feminine noun. The definite article is always die.

Declension of 'die Bestleistung'

Nouns in German change their form depending on the grammatical case. 'Bestleistung' is feminine.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Sprinter stellte eine neue persönliche Bestleistung auf.
   (The sprinter set a new personal best.)
2. Ihre Bestleistung im Verkauf wurde diesen Monat übertroffen.
   (Her top performance in sales was surpassed this month.)
3. Wir streben stets nach Bestleistungen in unserem Service.
   (We always strive for top performances/excellence in our service.)
4. Die Maschine erreichte ihre technische Bestleistung während des Testlaufs.
   (The machine reached its technical peak performance during the test run.)

✍️ How to Use 'Bestleistung'?

The term 'Bestleistung' is frequently used to describe a peak achievement or record. Here are typical contexts:

• Sports reporting: Very common for describing athletes' records (e.g., persönliche Bestleistung - personal best, Weltbestleistung - world record/best, Jahresbestleistung - year's best performance).
• Workplace/Performance Management: To describe outstanding results of employees or teams.
• Technology & Science: To name the maximum achieved capacity or efficiency of a system or experiment.
• Personal Development: Also used in everyday life to describe one's own top achievements in hobbies or personal goals.

Distinction: While Rekord often implies an officially recognized highest value (like a world record), Bestleistung can be more personal or informal. Höchstleistung (peak performance) is similar but tends to emphasize the effort and level achieved at that moment, whereas Bestleistung often refers to the highest value achieved over a longer period.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the Article: Remember that 'performance' in German is die Leistung (feminine). The best performance is still a type of performance, so it stays feminine: die Bestleistung.

For the Meaning: Imagine being the BEST! Your Leistung (performance) is therefore the Bestleistung – the absolute best you've achieved so far. 🏅 Think 'Best Leistung' = Best Performance.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Leistung: (Performance, achievement, output) The general term for the result of an effort or process. Bestleistung is a specific, outstanding type of Leistung.
• Fähigkeit: (Ability, capability) The potential to do something. Bestleistung is the realized peak of that ability at a certain point in time.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef seinen Mitarbeiter: "Was war Ihre bisherige Bestleistung in diesem Job?" Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Pünktlich Feierabend zu machen, obwohl noch Arbeit da war!" 😉

English Translation: The boss asks his employee: "What has been your personal best performance in this job so far?" The employee replies: "Leaving work on time even though there was still work left!" 😉

📜 A Short Poem

German:
Die Latte liegt hoch, das Ziel ist klar,
die Bestleistung, wunderbar.
Im Schweiße des Sports, im Geist der Zeit,
der Wille siegt, ist stets bereit.
Ein neuer Rekord, Applaus erklingt,
die Bestleistung, die Freude bringt.

English Translation:
The bar is set high, the goal is clear,
the Bestleistung (top performance), wonderful to hear.
In the sweat of sport, in the spirit of time,
the will conquers, always ready to climb.
A new record, applause resounds,
the Bestleistung, joy abounds.

🤔 A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Gipfel, doch kein Berg,
erreicht durch Können, Fleiß und Werk.
Man jagt mich im Sport, im Job, im Spiel,
mich zu erreichen ist oft das Ziel.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a peak, but not a mountain,
Achieved through skill, diligence, and work's fountain.
I'm chased in sports, in jobs, in games you play,
Reaching me is often the aim of the day.

What am I?
... Die Bestleistung (Personal best / Top performance)

🧩 Other Information about 'Bestleistung'

Word Composition:

The word "Bestleistung" is a compound noun, formed from:

• Best-: Superlative of the adjective "gut" (good). It means "best".
• Leistung: Noun meaning 'performance', 'achievement', or 'output'.

So, it literally means the "best performance rendered".

Cultural Significance: In performance-oriented societies (Leistungsgesellschaften), striving for Bestleistungen holds significant value, both individually and collectively.