najlepszym

Najlepszym is the instrumental singular masculine form of the Polish adjective najlepszy, the superlative of dobry meaning “the best.” It is used with masculine singular nouns in the instrumental case, typically after prepositions, to denote the means or manner by which something is done or achieved.

In practice, najlep zym appears in phrases such as z najlepszym planem (with the best plan), przy najlepszym rozwiązaniu (with the best solution), or Najlepszym sposobem na rozwiązanie tego problemu jest… (The best way to solve this problem is…). It can also govern neuter nouns in instrumental singular, for example z najlepszym rozwiązaniem. The feminine instrumental form is najlep­szą, as in z najlepszą metodą.

Morphologically, naj­lep­szym is one form within a full paradigm of the superlative adjective. In the nominative, the forms are najm, naj­lepszy for masculine; naj­lepsza for feminine; naj­lepsze for neuter. In plural, instrumental forms include najlepszymi, depending on gender and number. Polish adjectives decline to agree with the noun they describe, and the instrumental singular nears its common usage in expressions of means, accompaniment, or comparison after certain prepositions.

Etymology traces naj­lepszy to the base adjective dobry (good), via the comparative lepszy (better) and the superlative suffix or prefix construction with naj- giving “the best.” The development reflects the standard Polish pattern of forming superlatives with the prefix naj- added to a comparative stem.

See also: najlepszy.