Superlative adjectives in German are used to express the highest degree of a quality, equivalent to “-est” or “most” in English. They are formed by adding -st or -est to the adjective stem, followed by specific endings depending on the grammatical context.
- Basic formation: Add -st or -est to the adjective stem (use -est if the adjective ends in -t, -d, or a sibilant sound like -s, -ß, -sch, -z).
- Use the suffix -st unless the adjective ends in a letter that makes pronunciation difficult, in which case use -est.
- Add the appropriate adjective ending depending on case, gender, number, and whether a definite article or other determiner is present.
- With definite articles or similar determiners (der, die, das, dieser, jeder, etc.), use the ending -e or -en as per normal adjective declension rules.
- When used adverbially, add -st or -est without any adjective ending.
Formation Rules
Step | Explanation | Example | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Start with the adjective stem | schön (beautiful) | schön | |
Add -st or -est (use -est for stems ending in -t, -d, -s, -ß, -sch, -z) | groß (big) → groß + st; freundlich (friendly) → freundlich + st; nett (nice) → nett + est | großst, freundlichst, nettest | |
Add appropriate adjective ending if used attributively | der (definite article, masculine, nominative) → -e ending | der größte, die freundlichste | |
For adverbial use, do not add adjective endings | - | am schnellsten (adverbially: “fastest”) |
Usage Guidelines
Context | Description | Example | English Equivalent |
---|---|---|---|
Attributive with definite article | Use am + superlative + -en for prepositional phrases (e.g., am größten - “the biggest”); Within noun phrases, use superlative + adjective ending | der größte Baum, die freundlichste Frau | the biggest tree, the friendliest woman |
Attributive without article | Use superlative + adjective ending as per declension rules | größter Baum, freundlichste Frau | biggest tree, friendliest woman |
Predicate (after sein, werden) | Use am + superlative (with -en ending) or simply adjective without article | Er ist am schnellsten. / Er ist der Schnellste. | He is the fastest. |
Adverbial | Use superlative + -st/-est without adjective ending | Er läuft am schnellsten. | He runs fastest. |
With modifiers (viel, sehr) | Usually not combined; if needed, use expressions like bei weitem am ...sten | Er ist bei weitem am stärksten. | He is by far the strongest. |
Examples
Use Case | German Example | English Example |
---|---|---|
Attributive with article | der älteste Schüler | the oldest student |
Attributive without article | ältester Schüler | oldest student |
Predicate | Sie ist die Klügste | She is the smartest |
Adverbial | Er arbeitet am schnellsten | He works the fastest |
Nominalized Superlative | Der/die/das Beste gewinnt | The best wins |
Translate this example: 'Der/die/das Beste gewinnt.'
The best wins.
'Der/die/das Beste' is the nominalized superlative meaning 'the best,' and 'gewinnt' means 'wins.' The correct English translation is 'The best wins.'
What is the English translation of the German superlative example: 'Er arbeitet am schnellsten von allen.'?
He works the fastest of all.
'am schnellsten' is the adverbial superlative meaning 'the fastest,' and 'von allen' means 'of all.' The sentence translates to 'He works the fastest of all.'
Irregular Forms
Positive | Superlative | Example (German) | Example (English) |
---|---|---|---|
gut (good) | best- | das beste Buch | the best book |
viel (much/many) | meist- | die meistgelesenen Bücher | the most-read books |
hoch (high) | höchst- | der höchste Berg | the highest mountain |
nah (near) | nächst- | das nächstgelegene Café | the nearest café |
früh (early) | frühest- / erst- | die früheste Stunde | the earliest hour |
Conclusion
Superlative adjectives are formed by adding -st or -est to the adjective stem, then adding appropriate endings if used attributively. They allow you to express “the most” or “-est” in German, and irregular forms should be memorized for accuracy.
Flashcards (1 of 15)
- Context: Attributive with definite article
- Description: Use am + superlative + -en for prepositional phrases (e.g., am größten - “the biggest”); Within noun phrases, use superlative + adjective ending
- Example: der größte Baum, die freundlichste Frau
- English Equivalent: the biggest tree, the friendliest woman
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025