szuperlativ

Szuperlativ is a Hungarian term derived from the Latin *superlativus*, meaning "above all" or "supreme." In Hungarian grammar, it refers to the superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs, used to express the highest degree of a quality or attribute within a given context. The superlative form typically answers the question "to what extent?" or "how much?" and is often employed to indicate an extreme or exceptional state.

In Hungarian, superlatives are formed by adding the suffix *-leg-* to the comparative form of an adjective or adverb. For example, the adjective *magas* ("tall") forms its comparative as *magasabb* ("taller"), and the superlative becomes *magasabb-nál* or *magasabb-nál is* ("tallest" or "taller than"). However, many superlative forms are irregular and must be memorized, such as *legjobb* ("best") from *jobb* ("better") or *legkisebb* ("smallest") from *kisebb* ("smaller").

Superlatives are commonly used in comparative constructions, often with the preposition *nál* ("than") to indicate a comparison. For instance, *Ez a legmagasabb épület a városban.* ("This is the tallest building in the city.") The term *leg-* is a prefix that intensifies the meaning of the adjective or adverb, making it the highest degree possible.

While primarily a grammatical concept, *szuperlativ* can also be used metaphorically in Hungarian to describe something exceptional or outstanding in a broader sense, such as achievements, performances, or qualities. Its usage reflects both linguistic precision and cultural emphasis on relative comparison in everyday speech.