væsentligste

Væsentligste is a Danish adjective in the superlative degree, meaning “the most important” or “the essential.” It is formed from the base adjective væsentlig (essential, significant) with the standard Danish superlative suffix -ste. The form væsentligste is used for singular definite phrases as well as plural forms, and it agrees with the noun it modifies.

In use, væsentligste identifies the element that has the highest importance within a group or category. It commonly accompanies definite determiners, but can also appear in definite plural phrases. Examples include: det væsentligste spørgsmål (the most important question), den væsentligste årsag (the most important cause), de væsentligste faktorer (the most important factors), and de væsentligste punkter i analysen (the most important points in the analysis).

Grammar notes indicate that the superlative form follows regular Danish adjective inflection patterns. The singular definite form is typically den væsentligste or det væsentligste, while the plural is de væsentligste. The word is widely used in formal writing, academic contexts, and responses where prioritization or central significance must be stated clearly.

Etymology traces væsentligste to væsentlig, meaning significant or substantial, with the common Danish superlative suffix -ste. The term remains a standard choice for expressing priority, emphasis, and essential considerations in Danish discourse. Related terms include væsentlig, væsentligt, and synonyms such as vigtig and af afgørende betydning.