labiausiai

Labiausiai is a Lithuanian adverb used to express the superlative degree of adjectives and other adverbs, meaning “the most” or “to the greatest extent.” It serves to indicate that a quality is present to the highest degree within a given set or context.

Etymology and form: The word is built from the base concept of intensity (labai, meaning very) with a superlative suffix, forming a common Lithuanian construction for the strongest degree. As an adverb, labiausiai does not inflect for gender or number and remains invariable.

Usage: Labiausiai typically precedes the adjective or adverb it modifies, intensifying its meaning. It is used in both formal and informal language to highlight the extreme degree of a quality. Examples include: “Šis filmas yra labiausiai žinomas Lietuvoje” (This film is the most well-known in Lithuania) and “Ji buvo labiausiai nusivylusi rezultatais” (She was the most disappointed by the results). The word can also appear in comparative contexts where emphasis on the maximum degree is intended, such as “labiausiai tikėtina” (most likely) or “labiausiai įvertintas”.

See also: Lithuanian adverbs of degree, labiausiai’s relation to other degree forms such as labiau (more) and labai (very).

Notes: Labiausiai is a standard, widely used element in Lithuanian syntax for expressing the peak degree of a quality. Its use enhances clarity when contrasting extremes among a set of items or attributes.