alhaisimman

Alhaisimman is a Finnish grammatical form of the adjective meaning “the most low” or “the most humble.” It is the genitive singular form of the superlative adjective alhaisin, which denotes the highest degree of a quality in a negative sense (the lowest, or most humble). In practice, alhaisimman occurs in noun phrases where the modified noun is in a genitive construction or when the phrase functions as a possessive modifier.

Morphology and formation: The base adjective is alhainen. Its comparative is alhaisempi and its superlative is alhaisin. To form the attributive genitive form used before another noun, the superlative takes the -n ending, yielding alhaisimman. This form then modifies a following noun in genitive, as in alhaisimman tason, meaning “of the lowest level” or “the lowest-level.”

Usage notes: Alhaisimman is typically found in phrases that specify a degree of severity, quality, or level. It cannot stand alone as a predicate adjective in most contexts; it functions within a larger noun phrase such as alhaisimman tason palvelu (service of the lowest level) or alhaisimman tason vaihtoehto (the option of the lowest level). The sense can be literal (lowest level) or metaphorical (most minimal, most basic).

Translations and nuance: In English, alhaisimman conveys “the most low/lowest” and in many contexts equates to “the most basic,” “the most inferior,” or “the lowest-tier.” It is one of several Finnish superlatives that rely on noun phrases to express degree.

See also: alhaisin, alhainen, Finnish comparative and superlative forms.