plej

Plej is a word in Esperanto that functions as a degree adverb meaning "most" or "the most." It is used to form the superlative of adjectives and adverbs, placing the highest degree of a quality before the modified word.

In Esperanto, adjectives and adverbs do not take special affixes for the superlative. Instead, pleJ precedes the adjective or adverb to express the strongest form of a quality. For example, la plej granda domo means "the biggest house," and plej rapide means "the fastest." The word la is optional in general statements, but when used, it typically appears before plej as part of the definitive phrase.

Plej is distinct from the comparative form created with pli, which means "more." While pli is placed before the adjective or adverb to express a lesser degree of comparison (e.g., pli granda = bigger / bigger than some reference), plej signals the extremest degree (e.g., plej granda = the biggest). The combination plej with adjectives follows the standard Esperanto word order, with the adjective directly describing the noun it modifies.

Origin and usage notes: plej is a native Esperanto formation, widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It can intensify statements in conversation or writing and is common in literature, media, and education. Like other Esperanto elements, it remains invariable and does not reflect gender or number of the noun it accompanies.

See also: pli (comparative), superlatives in Esperanto.