To form the superlative of an adjective, English adds To form the superlative of an adjective, English adds -est-est ("prettiest") or uses ("prettiest") or uses mostmost ("most beautiful"). ("most beautiful").

Examples:Examples:

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

nice nicer nicest

Interesting more interesting most interesting

handsome more handsome most handsome

One way to form the superlative in German is with One way to form the superlative in German is with amam + + adjectiveadjective + + stensten.  .  

Examples:Examples:

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

schnell (fast)schnell (fast) schnellschnellerer (faster) (faster) amam schnell schnellstensten (fastest) (fastest)

traurig (sad)traurig (sad) traurigtraurigerer (sadder) (sadder) amam traurig traurigstensten (saddest) (saddest)

jung (young)jung (young) jjüngüngerer (younger) (younger) amam jüng jüngstensten (youngest) (youngest)

When the adjective or adverb ends in a d, t or s sound, an e is inserted When the adjective or adverb ends in a d, t or s sound, an e is inserted between the stem and ending (am grössten is an exception.)between the stem and ending (am grössten is an exception.)

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

kalt (cold) kälter (colder) amam kältestenesten (coldest)

alt (old) älter (older) amam ältestenesten (oldest)

intelligent intelligenter amam intelligentestenesten (most intelligent)

Some irregular forms also exist:Some irregular forms also exist:

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

gern (gladly) lieber (rather) amam liebstensten (most rather)

gut (good) besser (better) amam bestensten (best)

hoch (high) höher (higher) amam höchstensten (highest)

nah (near) näher (nearer) amam nächstensten (nearest)

viel (much) mehr (more) amam meistensten (most)

Another way to form the superlative is to add an ste ending to the Another way to form the superlative is to add an ste ending to the adjective.adjective.

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

schnell (fast) schneller (faster) schnellste ste (fastest)

schlimm(bad) schlimmer (worse) schlimmste ste (worst)

blau (blue) blauer (bluer) blauste ste (bluest)

jung (young) jünger (younger) jüngste ste (youngest)

traurig (sad) trauriger (sadder) traurigstegste (saddest)

Er ist der jüngste ste Student in der Schule.

Er ist der jüngste. ste.

When using this method, if the adjective ends in a t. Then you must When using this method, if the adjective ends in a t. Then you must add an extra e before you add the ste ending.add an extra e before you add the ste ending.

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

alt (old) älter (older) ältesteste (oldest)

kalt (cold) kälter (colder) kältesteste (coldest)

schlecht (bad) schlechter (worse) schlectesteste (worst)

Er ist der ältesteste in der Klasse.

Er ist der ältesteste.