sydligast

Sydligast is the superlative form of the Swedish adjective sydlig, meaning southern or southernmost. It is used to designate the greatest degree of southernness within a defined group, such as locations, regions, or features. For example, “Smygehuk är Sveriges sydligaste plats,” expresses that Smygehuk is the southernmost place in Sweden.

Formation and grammar: The base form is sydlig. The superlative is formed with the suffix -aste, giving sydligaste. In definite constructions, the proper form is den sydligaste platsen (the southernmost place). The comparative form is typically sydligare or mer sydlig (more southern), used when comparing two elements.

Usage notes: Sydligast is common in geographic descriptions and in contexts where latitude or southern extent is being ranked. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer the alternative comparative mer sydlig or sydligare for two-item comparisons, but sydligaste/sydligaste is standard for the highest degree among many.

Etymology: The word is built from syd (south) plus the suffix -lig, which forms adjectives, with the superlative suffix -aste. The construction parallels other -lig adjectives in Swedish, such as vänlig → vänligaste (the most friendly).

See also: sydlig (base adjective), nordlig, östlig, västlig (directional adjectives), sydliga regioner (southern regions). The concept is primarily used in geography, climatology, and regional descriptions to indicate the most southern extent within a defined set.