Pijnlijkst

Pijnlijkst is a Dutch adjective and functions as the superlative form of pijnlijk, meaning most painful. It is used to indicate the highest degree of pain or discomfort within a defined set or comparison. The term can refer to physical pain as well as emotional or psychological distress, depending on context.

In standard written Dutch, the common way to express the highest degree of pain is typically with pijnlijkste or by using the phrase meest pijnlijk. The form pijnlijkst is more common in informal speech and some dialects, and may appear in colloquial writing. Because of this, style guides often recommend the formal pijnlijkste in formal contexts, while pijnlijkst may be encountered in everyday conversation.

Usage examples can include: Het pijnlijkst moment kwam toen hij viel. Dat was het pijnlijkst wat ik ooit heb meegemaakt. In such sentences, the word directly modifies a noun like moment or ervaring to denote the peak of pain within the group being discussed.

Etymology and related forms: pijnlijk is formed from pijn (pain) with the suffix -lijk, giving the base meaning painful. The superlative is built by adding a stable suffix, with pijnlijkste serving as the standard written form; pijnlijkst represents a more colloquial variant.

See also: pijnlijk, pijn, pijnlijke.