Einfachste

Einfachste is the superlative form of the German adjective einfach, meaning simple or easy. It translates as “the simplest” or “the easiest” when used before a noun with a definite determiner, for example der einfachste Weg (the simplest path) or die einfachste Lösung (the simplest solution).

Morphology and usage

The base form einfach takes the superlative ending -ste, yielding einfachste. The form is declined to agree with gender and case in attributive position: der einfachste Weg, die einfachste Lösung, das einfachste Beispiel, die einfachsten Ideen. In adverbial use, the corresponding superlative is am einfachsten (most easily). When no determiner is present, German normally uses strong endings or the adverbial form; examples include einfachste Lösung (less common without a determiner) or am einfachsten, respectively. A noun-form, capitalized, exists as das Einfachste, meaning “the simplest thing” or “the simplest method.”

Examples and nuance

Die einfachste Lösung ist oft die beste. The simplest solution is often the best. Der einfachste Weg ist nicht immer der sicherste. The simplest way is not always the safest. In everyday language, synonymes like simpel or leicht werden informell verwendet, but they do not carry the exact superlative sense.

Overall, einfachste is a common, neutral term in German for indicating the utmost level of simplicity or easiness, used with definite determiners or nominalized as a noun.