The superlative

Mosaicos, p. 299

Introduction
In English, the superlative is formed:
- By adding est to the adjectives: tall tallest - By using expressions such as the most / the least with and adjective: The most expensive/ the least expensive - Irregular superlatives: the best, the worst

In Spanish, the superlative is formed in the same way as

the comparative but is always accompanied by the definite article, which agrees with the person, place or object described.

Lets see it ! - Use de to express in or at. - Irregular superlatives: mejor, peor, mayor, menor - Superlative -simo: alto altsimo

The superlative
Definite article + noun + ms/menos + adjective

Es el nio ms alto de la clase = Es el ms alto de la clase.

(He is the tallest kid in the class)

Es la nia ms bonita de la fiesta = Es la ms

bonita de la fiesta.

(She is the prettiest girl in the party)

The superlative -simo

To express the idea of extremely with the superlative, add simo-a-os-as to the adjective.
If the adjective ends in a consonant add simo: dbil (weak) debilsimo If the adjective ends in a vowel, drop the vowel: guapa (pretty) guapsima

Este regalo es caro. Este regalo es carsimo.

(This present is expensive. Its extremely expensive)

Ese perro es feo. Es fesimo.

(That dog is ugly. Its extremely agly)

El examen fue difcil. Fue dificilsimo.

(The exam was difficult. It was extremely difficult)

Irregular superlatives
Do not use either ms/menos or add -simo with the following comparatives: mejor, peor, mayor and menor Comparatives mejor
(better)

Superlatives

Examples
Mi clase de espaol es la mejor. (Mi spanish class is the best) Juan es el peor de la clase. (Juan is the worst in the class) Tom es el mayor de la clase. (Tom is the oldest in the class) Ana es la menor de la clase. (Ana is the youngest in the class)

El mejor El peor

peor
(worse)

mayor
(older, bigger, larger)

El mayor
El menor

menor
(younger, smaller)

Prctica
Could you tell me how to write the superlative masculine

singular of the following adjectives?

1. Lento 2. Fuerte

3. Mejor
4. Delgado

Prctica
Could you tell me how to write the superlative masculine

singular of the following adjectives?

1. Lento 2. Fuerte El ms/menos lento El ms/menos fuerte

3. Mejor
4. Delgado

El mejor
El ms/menos delgado

Prctica (cont.)
Could you tell me how to write the superlative feminine plural

of the following adjectives?

1. pobre 2. rica

3. peor
4. alegre

Prctica (cont.)
Could you tell me how to write the superlative feminine plural

of the following adjectives?

1. pobre 2. rica las ms/menos pobres las ms/menos ricas

3. peor
4. alegre

las peores
las ms/menos alegres

Prctica (cont.)
Convert the following adjectives to the superlative

femenine singular using -simo.

1.Lenta 2. Rojo 3. Gordo 4. Triste 5. Moreno 6. Enojado 7. Cansado

Prctica (cont.)
Convert the following adjectives to the superlative

femenine singular using -simo.

1.Lenta 2. Rojo 3. Gordo 4. Triste 5. Moreno 6. Enojado 7. Cansado Lentsima Rojsima Gordsima Tristsima Morensima Enojadsima Cansadsima

Buen trabajo!

Hoy hemos aprendido a formar los superlativos en espaol.