zwaarst

Zwaarst is the superlative form of the Dutch adjective zwaar, meaning heavy or weighty, and can also convey seriousness or burden. In English it translates most often as “the heaviest” or “the most heavy.” It is used to indicate the greatest degree of heaviness or burden within a group or in comparison to other items.

Grammatical notes: The standard comparative of zwaar is zwaarder, and the superlative is typically formed with -ste, resulting in de zwaarste for attributive use (the heaviest) and het zwaarste for predicative use with a neuter noun. In adverbial contexts, the form kan appear as zwaarst, especially when referring to the degree of heaviness among several options, as in het zwaarst van de drie. The choice between de/zwaarste and het/zwaarste depends on the gender and definiteness of the noun, while zwaarst can function as an adverbial superlative.

Usage and scope: Zwaarst covers physical weight as in objects or loads, but it also applies figuratively to burdens, tasks, or topics that are most demanding or problematic. Common related terms include zwaarte (weight/weightiness), zwaarder (comparative), and zwaar (the base form). In everyday Dutch, de zwaarste is the frequent phrasing for “the heaviest” when a noun follows, while het zwaarst is common in clauses emphasizing the peak degree without a following noun.

Etymology and related forms: Zwaar derives from the Dutch-language lineage of Germanic roots, with cognates in other West Germanic languages (for example, German schwer). The superlative pattern -ste is standard across many Dutch adjectives.

See also: weight-related terms, comparative and superlative forms in Dutch, verwante termen zoals zwaarte.