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, , -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

StepExplanationExampleResult
Start with the adjective stemschön (beautiful)schön
Add -st or -est (use -est for stems ending in -t, -d, -s, , -sch, -z)groß (big) → groß + st; freundlich (friendly) → freundlich + st; nett (nice) → nett + estgroßst, freundlichst, nettest
Add appropriate adjective ending if used attributivelyder (definite article, masculine, nominative) → -e endingder größte, die freundlichste
For adverbial use, do not add adjective endings-am schnellsten (adverbially: “fastest”)

Usage Guidelines

ContextDescriptionExampleEnglish Equivalent
Attributive with definite articleUse am + superlative + -en for prepositional phrases (e.g., am größten - “the biggest”); Within noun phrases, use superlative + adjective endingder größte Baum, die freundlichste Frauthe biggest tree, the friendliest woman
Attributive without articleUse superlative + adjective ending as per declension rulesgrößter Baum, freundlichste Fraubiggest tree, friendliest woman
Predicate (after sein, werden)Use am + superlative (with -en ending) or simply adjective without articleEr ist am schnellsten. / Er ist der Schnellste.He is the fastest.
AdverbialUse superlative + -st/-est without adjective endingEr läuft am schnellsten.He runs fastest.
With modifiers (viel, sehr)Usually not combined; if needed, use expressions like bei weitem am ...stenEr ist bei weitem am stärksten.He is by far the strongest.

Examples

Use CaseGerman ExampleEnglish Example
Attributive with articleder älteste Schülerthe oldest student
Attributive without articleältester Schüleroldest student
PredicateSie ist die KlügsteShe is the smartest
AdverbialEr arbeitet am schnellstenHe works the fastest
Nominalized SuperlativeDer/die/das Beste gewinntThe 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

PositiveSuperlativeExample (German)Example (English)
gut (good)best-das beste Buchthe best book
viel (much/many)meist-die meistgelesenen Bücherthe most-read books
hoch (high)höchst-der höchste Bergthe highest mountain
nah (near)nächst-das nächstgelegene Caféthe nearest café
früh (early)frühest- / erst-die früheste Stundethe 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

Loco