Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectives show the highest degree of a quality in comparisons within a group or in an absolute sense. This guide focuses on forming and using superlatives with clear examples.
Formation
French typically forms the superlative by placing le, la, or les plus plus or moins before the adjective, and sometimes the adjective follows the noun. The article agrees with the noun in gender and number.
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Placement
Adjectives that normally come before the noun keep their position in the superlative, while adjectives that come after the noun in a normal description usually remain after the noun when in the superlative.
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Special Adjectives
A few common adjectives like bon and mauvais have irregular superlative forms such as meilleur and pire that you must memorize for natural speech.
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Absolute Superlative
The absolute superlative expresses an extreme degree without direct comparison, often formed by adding the suffix -issime or by using intensifiers like très or extrêmement.
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Examples
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🏫 C’est la bibliothèque la plus ancienne du campus. | It’s the oldest library on campus. |
| ☕ Ce café est le plus populaire parmi les étudiants. | This café is the most popular among the students. |
| 🌳 Le parc au centre est le plus joli du quartier. | The park in the center is the prettiest in the neighborhood. |
| 🚶 Elle habite dans la maison la plus proche de l’université. | She lives in the house closest to the university. |
| 🎉 C’était la fête la plus amusante de toute la semaine. | It was the most fun party of the whole week. |
Summary
Superlative adjectives highlight the extreme degree of a quality either by comparison within a group or by absolute intensity. Remember to match the article to the noun, place the adjective according to its usual position, and learn the handful of irregular forms for natural expression.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025