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
Esta canción fue popularísima en los años 90.This song was extremely popular in the 90s. (adjective: popular)
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)
Esos chicos son vulgarísimos. Están siempre diciendo palabrotas.Those boys are extremely vulgar. They're always swearing. (adjective: vulgar)
La profesora nueva es inteligentísima.The new teacher is really intelligent. (adjective: inteligente)
Tienes que lavar tu coche; está sucísimo.You have to clean your car; it's extremely dirty. (adjective: sucio)
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.
