Relative and absolute superlatives

In brief

A relative superlative singles out the highest or lowest degree within a group: a mais rápida da equipe means ‘the fastest on the team.’ An absolute superlative emphasizes a high degree without comparing anyone or anything: muito rápido or rapidíssimo means ‘very fast.’

Form

Relative: definite article (o/a/os/as) + mais or menos + adjective + group (often de + article: da, do, das, dos). Absolute: muito + adjective, or an adjective ending in -íssimo/-íssima/-íssimos/-íssimas.

Usage

• Use a relative superlative to identify someone or something at one extreme of a stated group; the article and adjective agree with the noun.
• Use muito + adjective for an ordinary ‘very’; -íssimo is more emphatic and can sound expressive.
• The group can be introduced with de: o mais alto da turma (‘the tallest in the class’).

Examples

• Ela é a pessoa mais organizada da equipe. — She is the most organized person on the team.
• Este é o restaurante menos caro do bairro. — This is the least expensive restaurant in the neighborhood.
• O café está quentíssimo. — The coffee is extremely hot.
• As ruas estão muito movimentadas hoje. — The streets are very busy today.

Common mistake

❌ Ela é mais rápida da equipe.

✅ Ela é a mais rápida da equipe.

For ‘the fastest’ within a group, add the definite article before mais: a mais rápida. Without it, the sentence does not express the intended relative superlative.

Remember

A relative superlative identifies an extreme within a group; an absolute superlative simply intensifies the description.