Familie, Ehe und Arbeit auf dem Bio-Bauernhof

What does “Toppriorität” mean in German?

On the farm, the wife says her marriage to Martin matters more than anything: it’s their “Toppriorität” — their top priority. “Priorität” means priority, and “Top-” makes it the number-one thing. In fast speech she slurs it, so it sounds like “Topprivität,” but the word she means is the everyday “Toppriorität.” Learn the clear forms: Priorität, and Top- for “number-one.”

Spoken line: “...dass die unsere Topprivität ist.” — “...that it’s our top priority.” What she means is “Toppriorität” (Top- + Priorität); in quick speech the middle gets swallowed, so it comes out as “Topprivität.” Learn the real word, not the slurred form. “Priorität” = priority; “Top-” on the front makes it the number-one priority. You’ll also hear “höchste Priorität” (highest priority) and “Priorität haben” (to be a priority). Examples: “Sicherheit hat oberste Priorität.” (Safety is the top priority.) “Das ist gerade meine Priorität.” (That’s my priority right now.) Usage note: “Toppriorität” is informal-business German; the slurred “Topprivität” here is just fast speech, not a word to copy.