Superlative adjectives describe the extreme quality of something within a group or in an absolute sense. This guide covers how to form and use superlatives in French with clear examples.
Formation
There are two main types of superlatives: relative, which compares within a group, and absolute, which intensifies an adjective. Relative superlatives use le, la or les plus plus/moins plus the adjective, while absolute superlatives add an adverb like très or extrêmement.
Relative Superlatives
Relative superlatives highlight that something is the most or least in a category by placing le, la or les before plus or moins and agreeing the adjective with the noun.
| French Sentence | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| C’est la ville la plus intéressante que j’ai visitée. | It’s the most interesting city I’ve visited. | |
| Il a choisi le restaurant le moins cher. | He chose the least expensive restaurant. | |
| Elles sont les étudiantes les plus travailleuses. | They are the most hardworking students. |
She is the most talented singer in the competition.
Absolute Superlatives
Absolute superlatives express an extreme quality without comparison, typically using an intensifier like très, vraiment or extrêmement before the adjective, or by adding suffixes like –issime in literary contexts.
| French Sentence | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| Ce film est très intéressant. | This movie is very interesting. | |
| Elle est extrêmement gentille. | She is extremely kind. | |
| Un château magnifique (ou magnificissime). | A magnificent (or very magnificent) castle. |
Agreement
Adjectives in superlative constructions must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. This applies to both relative superlatives and absolute superlatives when the adjective directly describes a noun.
| Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| le plus grand | la plus grande | les plus grands | les plus grandes | |
| le moins cher | la moins chère | les moins chers | les moins chères |
Summary
Use le, la or les plus plus/moins plus l’adjectif pour un superlatif relatif qui compare un groupe. Pour un superlatif absolu, ajoutez un adverbe intensif comme très ou extrêmement. Assurez-vous que l’adjectif s’accorde en genre et en nombre avec le nom.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025