Spanish superlatives -ísimo with adjectives ending in a single vowel, -io, -l and -ar

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.

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).

 

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.

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:

• Superlativo
• How to say the most / the least + adjective in Spanish (superlatives)