íssimo

íssimo is a productive suffix in Portuguese used to form an absolute superlative of adjectives and, less commonly, to intensify some adverbs. When attached, it conveys a high degree or extremity, as in altíssimo (extremely high), fortíssimo (extremely strong), or felicíssimo (extremely happy).

Etymology and formation: The suffix comes from the Latin -issimus, a classic Latin superlative marker. In Portuguese it is written as a single word, without spaces or hyphens, and has a feminine form -íssima as well as plural forms -íssimos and -íssimas. It can attach to a wide range of adjectives, sometimes causing minor phonological adjustments in the resulting word, but the general pattern is straightforward: base adjective + -íssimo (masculine) or -íssima (feminine), yielding a strong, emphatic meaning.

Usage and nuance: The -íssimo form is widely used in both formal and informal contexts to express emphasis or extreme quality. It can heighten descriptive intensity in narrative, speech, or opinion writing. In some contexts, especially in everyday speech or humor, the suffix may add an ironic or playful tone, signaling exaggeration beyond what would be conveyed by ordinary adjectives. It is not typically used for ordinary comparative purposes; instead, it marks the utmost degree of a quality.

Examples: altíssimo, fortíssimo, bellíssimo, felicíssimo, rapidíssimo. Its flexibility makes it a common tool for stylistic shading in Portuguese, allowing speakers to push adjectives toward their utmost meaning while remaining easy to understand.