Comparatives and superlatives are two important parts of Spanish grammar. In this article, we are going to review how to form superlatives in Spanish. They are used to express the highest degree of comparison. By understanding how to form and use them, you can enhance your communication skills in Spanish.
Comparatives refer to comparing one thing or one set of things to another. They come in three forms: comparisons of superiority, inferiority and equality. However, superlatives compare the quantity or quality of one single thing as superior or inferior within a particular group. In English, this is usually done by adding the –est or the most to the adjective for superiority or the least for inferiority. Now let’s see now how superlatives in Spanish are formed.
Superlatives in Spanish
Superlatives establish that the noun is the most or least among a group. In Spanish it’s formed using the following structures.
- For superlatives of superiority, you should use definite article +
más + adjective. For example,El cuadro más bonito (The most beautiful painting). - For superlatives of inferiority, you should say definite article +
menos + adjective, as inLa exposición menos interesante (The least interesting exhibition).
Please note that superlatives of interiority are not commonly used in Spanish. For example, instead of saying something is the least cheap, Spanish people would say something is not the cheapest. Let’s look at some examples to better understand how to use superlatives in Spanish.
Superlatives of Superiority
| Definite article | noun | MÁS | adjective |
| acuario | grande | ||
| jugadora | alta | ||
| jardines | limpios | ||
| cortinas | caras |
Don’t forget that articles and adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they refer to.
El acuario más grande del mundo está en Estados Unidos.
The biggest aquarium in the world is in the US.
La jugadora más alta se llama María.
The tallest player’s name is María.
Los jardines más limpios están en mi calle.
The tidiest gardens are on my street.
Las cortinas más caras son de seda.
The most expensive curtains are made of silk.
Superlatives of Inferiority
| Definite article | noun | MENOS | adjective |
| chico | tímido | ||
| fiesta | divertida | ||
| cuadros | conocidos | ||
| embarcaciones | rápidas |
Luis es el chico menos tímido de la clase.
Luis is the least shy boy in the class.
Esta es la fiesta menos divertida de la historia.
This is the least fun party in history.
Los cuadros menos conocidos están en la exposición.
The least known paintings are in the exhibition.
Hay un descuento para las embarcaciones menos rápidas.
There is a discount for the slowest boats.
Notes
Note that in Spanish the noun can be omitted if it is understood.
David es el chico más desordenado de todos nosotros.
David is the messiest boy of us all.
David es el más desordenado de todos nosotros.
David is the messiest of us all.
Notice also the use of the preposition
Estas faldas son las más baratas de la tienda.
These skirts are the cheapest ones in the store.
Este parque es el más popular de nuestro pueblo.
This park is the most popular one in our town.
El cerebro es la parte más importante del cuerpo humano.
The brain is the most important part of the human body.
Exercises
Now let’s practice superlatives in Spanish with the following exercises.