adverb

partout

at any cost · absolutely

Definition & meaning

The German adverb partout is used to emphasize a strong determination, an insistence, or a stubborn refusal. It is most commonly translated as "absolutely," "at all costs," or "by all means."

When used in a positive sense, it indicates that someone is determined to achieve something regardless of the circumstances. In negative sentences, which are very common for this word, it emphasizes that something simply will not happen or that someone is strictly refusing to do something despite efforts to change their mind. For example, if a machine will not start no matter what you do, you might say it "will partout nicht angehen."

Grammar & Word origin

Partout is an indeclinable adverb, meaning its form never changes regardless of its position in a sentence.

The word is a loanword from French, where partout literally means "everywhere" (composed of par meaning "through/by" and tout meaning "all"). It entered the German language in the 18th century. While the original French meaning refers to spatial ubiquity, the German usage evolved to describe intensity and persistence—shifting from "everywhere" to "in every case" or "no matter what."