Learn how to form the Spanish superlative with -ísimo
When we want to say "extremely [adjective/adverb]" in Spanish, we sometimes use the endings -ísimo, -ísima, -ísimos, -ísimas, as an alternative to muy, super, realmente; for example: muy caro, super caro, realmente caro, carísimo.
Spanish superlative of adjectives that end in a single vowel
Read and listen to these examples:
If the adjective ends in a single vowel, the vowel is removed and replaced by -ísimo, -ísima, -ísimos or -ísimas.
However, note this exception: adjectives that end in -ble, despite having a single vowel -e at the end, follow a different rule, see Spanish superlatives -ísimo with adjectives ending in -co, -go, -ble,-z, -or and -n.
Spanish superlative of adjectives that end in -io
If the adjective ends in -io, then both vowels are removed and replaced by -ísimo, -ísima, -ísimos or -ísimas.
Tienes que lavar tu coche; está sucísimo.You have to clean your car; it's extremely dirty. (adjective: sucio)
Nos hemos comprado un apartamento con un salón amplísimo.We've bought an apartment with an extremely spacious living room. (adjective: amplio)
As you can see in the last examples above, the adjective "serio" (serious) admits two different superlatives: serísimo and seriecísimo
Spanish superlative of adjectives that end in -l and -ar
If the adjective ends in -l or -ar, the superlative suffix is simply added to the end of the word (no letters are removed).
Este ejercicio me parece dificilísimo.I find this exercise extremely difficult. (adjective: difícil)
Spanish superlative of some adverbs
We can also form the superlative of some adverbs with the suffix -ísimo. As adverbs, the form is invariable, so there is no agreement with any noun; we take the adverb, omit the last vowel and add the suffix -ísimo
For example:
lento = slow/slowly
rápido = fast/quickly
tarde = late
temprano = early
suave = soft/softly
Exceptions
Bear in mind there are some exceptions/irregularities; for example:
cerca = close/near
the superlative form keeps the -a at the end. There is also a consonant change to keep the original sound [k]: c > qu
lejos = far
the superlative form keeps the -s at the end.
If the adjective or adverb has a written accent [´], when we form the superlative, the original accent is lost and always placed on the í from ísimo, -a, -os, -as.
For example:
rápido -> rapidísimo, fácil -> facilísimo
All superlatives using this suffix have a written accent.
Also bear in mind that some superlatives that come from adjectives containing -ue or -ie may also use a form that imitates the latin origin of the adjective:
The form that imitates the latin one is perceived as a more educated form, but both are valid.
The only form accepted for the superlative of "antiguo" is the one keeping the latin form, using -qu:
To learn about other irregular superlatives see Spanish superlatives -ísimo with adjectives ending in -co, -go, -ble,-z, -or and -n
See also:
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