Let’s learn all about the superlative adjectives and the absolute superlative!
(1) Superlative constructions in Spanish are always formed by placing a definite article (el, la, los, las) and the adverb más before the adjective.
The article and the adjective must agree in gender and number, as dictated by noun they refer to. For instance:
Ana es la más joven de la familia. Ana is the youngest in the family.
Pedro es el más alto de la clase. Pedro is the tallest kid in the class.
Estos son los libros más recientes que tenemos. These are the latest books we’ve received.
(2) The absolute superlative is formed by adding the endings –ísimo/a/os/as to the adjective in question.
If the adjective ends in a vowel, drop that final vowel before inserting the right ending. Once again, the ending must agree in number and gender with the noun the adjective refers to. For example:
Esta torta está riquísima. This cake is absolutely delicious.
Me voy a acostar; tengo muchísimo sue-alunamaño. I’m going to bed; I’m super sleepy.
¡Esta película es buenísima! This movie is awesome!
The following chart summarizes the above notes and complements them with a few examples:
Superlative Constructions | |
(1) Superlative adjectives | |
| Structure | Examples |
| el/la/los/las + más + adjetivo | Uno de los ríos más exuberantes del mundo. |
| La selva más frondosa del mundo. | |
| El río más caudaloso de todos | |
(2) Absolute superlatives | |
| Structure | Examples |
| Adjetivo + -ísimo/a/os/as | El vastísimo Amazonas |
| Sus fuertísimas corrientes | |