The Superlative

In English we add -est to adjectives, or we use the word most:

Tom gets the biggest salary, yet Anne is the most conscientious employee.

German uses ONLY the first method, but usually adds -st- not -est- to the adjective:

Udo ist der faulste Schüler in der Klasse (not the normal adjective ending)

Udo is the laziest pupil in the class.

The adjectives which add Umlaut in the comparative also add Umlaut in the superlative

Suzi ist das jüngste Mädchen in der Klasse

Suzi ist the youngest girl in the class

To make the pronunciation of superlatives easier, -est- is added to some adjectives. Typically, this happens with those ending in -t, -d, -s, -ß, -z, -scg:

der intelligenteste Junge

the most intelligent boy

der süßeste Wein

the sweetest wine

Often the superlative does not precede a noun, but comes elsewhere in the sentence. Then the usual form is am......-sten.

Bananen sind teuer, aber Melonen sind am teueresten.

Bananas are dear, but melons are the dearest.

Jan läuft schnell, Ute läuft schneller, aber Falk läuft am schnellsten.

Jan runs fast, Ute runs faster, but Falk runs the fastest.

Irregular superlativesL