Superlativo assoluto: Rules
We form the superlativo assoluto:
- By simply removing the last letter from the adjective and adding: –ISSIMO/A/I/E.
- bello -> bellissimo
- conosciuta -> conosciutissima
- eleganti -> elegantissimia
- alte -> altissime
- By using the adjective preceded by an adverb such as molto (very), davvero (really), decisamente (definitely), estremamente (extremely), etc.
Il russo è una lingua davvero difficile.
Russian is a really difficult language.
Siamo state estremamente fortunate a trovare questa offerta
We were extremely lucky to find his offer.
- By adding a prefix to the adjective, without a space, such as: super-, arci-, ultra-, stra-, iper-, etc.
This structure is used in informal and spoken language.
Quel film è strabello!
That movie is super good!
Sono arcistufa dei suoi rimproveri.
I am so fed up with his reprimands.
Superlativo assoluto: Irregular forms
As for the superlativo relativo, some adjectives have two forms of the superlativo assoluto: have a look at the table below.
| ADJECTIVE | REGULAR SUPERLATIVO ASSOLUTO | IRREGULAR SUPERLATIVO ASSOLUTO |
| BUONO | BUONISSIMO | OTTIMO |
| CATTIVO | CATTIVISSIMO | PESSIMO |
| GRANDE | GRANDISSIMO | MASSIMO |
| PICCOLO | PICCOLISSIMO | MINIMO |
Queste lasagne sono ottime.
This lasagna is excellent.
In questo bar il caffè è pessimo.
Coffee is really bad in this café.
Superlativo assoluto: Exceptions
Sometimes, you can’t use the comparative or superlative forms of adjectives. This happens with adjectives that do not allow a grade or level of intensity, such as:
- Geographical or ethnical adjectives (italiano, francese, africano, etc.)
- Adjectives that have been altered by suffixes such as –etto, –occio, –ino, -ello. (bellino, belloccio, piccoletto, piccino, etc.)
- Adjectives that already indicate an extreme quality: straordinario (extraordinary), magnifico (wonderful), terribile (terrible), etc.
Practice with Quizlet
Here's a set of flashcards and quizzes to practice this grammar topic.Superlativo assoluto: More examples
Lucia è sempre elegantissima.
Lucia is always very elegant.
Le Isole Eolie sono bellissime.
The Aeolian Islands are very beautiful.
La lingua italiana è conosciutissima!
The Italian language is very well known!
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