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.
Superlative of adjectives ending in a single vowel
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If the adjective ends in a single vowel, the vowel is removed and replaced by -ísimo, -ísima, -ísimos or -ísimas.
Superlative of adjectives ending 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
Superlative of adjectives ending 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)
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.
To learn about other irregular superlatives see Superlatives -ísimo with adjectives ending in -co, -go, -ble, and -z
See also:
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Examples and resources
María es lentísima haciendo los deberes.Maria is extremely slow doing her homework. (adjective: lento)
Este ejercicio me parece dificilísimo.I find this exercise extremely difficult. (adjective: difícil)
- ¿Te acompaño a casa? -No es necesario; vivo cerquísima.-Shall I walk you home? -No need; I live really close.
Mi abuela camina lentísimo porque le duelen las rodillas.My grandma walks really slowly because her knees hurt.
Esta canción fue popularísima en los años 90.This song was extremely popular in the 90s. (adjective: popular)
Esos chicos son vulgarísimos. Están siempre diciendo palabrotas.Those boys are extremely vulgar. They're always swearing. (adjective: vulgar)
Nos hemos comprado un apartamento con un salón amplísimo.We've bought an apartment with an extremely spacious living room. (adjective: amplio)
Las instalaciones del hotel están limpísimas.The hotel facilities are extremely clean. (adjective: limpio)
