German speakers, is 'zu viel' and 'zuviel' interchangeable, please? Should it be one word, or two, or doesn't it matter?

[Fauve]

I know there's lots of you out there - please solve this argument between me and ds. I'm inclined to think it should be one word, but he thinks it's two. Have been in the loft searching for my biiiig German dictionary, but it's too untidy, so MN may be quicker!

Hi, as far as I am aware, until about 12 years ago, they were used interchangeably. Current practice is to use zu viel to mean too much. Zuviel now means excessive, rather than merely too much (much too much, perhaps) Hope this helps.

That's brilliantly helpful, Flowchart. I learnt my German well over 12 years ago. So it looks like ds is more right than me. Sigh.

You should be congratulated for remembering any of it for over 12 years

Just had to look this up myself (and I'm German...) and since 1996 the correct form is 'zu viel'. But, while not grammatically correct, 'zuviel' looks fine to me.

Haha, learnt my German looooooong before 1996. Thanks for the compliment Flowchart [preens].

Actually I am surprised by how much the language has evolved. Shouldn't be, really, but am.