superlatywny

Superlatywny is a term used in linguistics to denote the superlative degree of comparison. In Polish grammar, stopień najwyższy, or the superlative, expresses the highest degree of a quality within a set or context. It contrasts with the positive (stopień równy) and the comparative (stopień wyższy).

Formation and irregularity

The standard way to form a Polish superlative is by adding the prefix naj- to the adjective or to its comparative form. Examples include najpiękniejszy (most beautiful), najłatwiejszy (easiest), najstarszy (oldest). Some adjectives form the superlative from the comparative stem, as in duży → większy → największy, or from irregular bases such as dobry → lepszy → najlepszy and zły → gorszy → najgorszy. Because of these irregulars, the superlative is not always predictable from the positive form alone.

Periphrastic and adverbial use

Besides the synthetic forms with naj-, Polish also uses periphrastic constructions, such as najbardziej before an adjective to indicate the absolute maximum degree (najbardziej ciekawy, most interesting). Adverbs can form superlatives in a similar way, notably with forms like najszybciej (the fastest) or by using najbardziej with certain adjectives.

Usage

The superlative is used to compare one item to all others in a defined group or to express the extreme quality in a given domain, e.g., „to jest najważniejszy dzień w roku” (this is the most important day of the year) or „spośród wszystkich uczestników najwięcej points” (the most points among all participants).

See also

Stopień wyższy, stopień najwyższy, językoznawstwo.