German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
Key Points about the Superlative (Superlativ)
The superlative (Superlativ) is one of the important pieces of knowledge we need to remember when learning German. The Superlativ is the highest-degree form of an adjective (Adjektiv) or adverb (Adverb) in German, used to express the highest degree of a characteristic or state of a person, thing or action: Martin ist am jüngsten. (Martin is the youngest.). However, there are some points to note when using the superlative. In today's article we will learn together about the structure of the superlative, how to use it and the notes for this form of comparison.
Let's get started!!!
1. How to form the superlative
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Normally, to change a German adjective/adverb into its superlative form you need to use the following formula: am + Adj/Adv_sten
billig → am billigsten
schnell → am schnellsten
langweilig → am langweiligsten
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For adjectives/adverbs ending in d, t, s, ß, x, z, we must add e before –sten.
leicht → am leichtesten
leicht → am leichtesten
!!! Except for groß → am größten
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Adjectives/adverbs with one syllable that contain the vowels a, o, u must take an Umlaut when changing to the superlative form.
arm → am ärmsten
jung → am jüngsten
lang → am längsten
warm → am wärmsten
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Some SPECIAL cases:
gut → am besten
viel → am meisten
gern → am liebsten
2. The superlative can be used as a noun when it is capitalized.
Nouns derived from the superlative in this way usually take the gender Das. Example:
Das ist das Beste, was wir tun können.
(This is the best thing we can do.)
3. When the superlative does not stand alone but accompanies a noun to describe that noun, we drop am and drop the ending –en in -sten. Keep only: adjective/adverb + (-e)st and then apply the appropriate adjective ending.
am besten → am besten
Er ist mein bester Freund. (der Freund)
(He is my best friend.)
4. There are cases where the superlative cannot be used, for example the adjectives tot, voll, leer,...
!!!Note on the case of schwarz: If schwarz is used to refer to the color black, the comparative or superlative cannot be used, but if schwarz is used to refer to a sad or terrible state, the comparison can be applied as in the following example:
Gestern erlebte er den schwärzesten Tag seiner Karriere.
(Yesterday he experienced the most terrible (darkest) day of his career.)
