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Grammar Lesson 49:

The absolute superlative

In Italian the absolute superlative is obtained by adding the ending -issimo (and all its forms) to the stem of the adjective. For example:

simpatico —> simpaticissimo

nice —> very nice

Using the adverbs molto / estremamente / assai / oltre modo (very, extremely, quite, really) before the adjective. For example:

simpatico —> molto simpatico

nice —> very nice

Repeating the adjective describing it twice. For example:

Era un ragazzo alto alto —> He was an extremely tall kid

Using specific prefixes which are used to express the highest degree of a quality such as arci- , sopra-, sovra-, stra-, ultra-. For example:

Era un ragazzo strasimpatico —> He was a super funny kid

Have a look at some expressions used to indicate the highest degree of a quality:

Stanco morto / knackered

Bagnato fradicio / soaking wet

Ubriaco fradicio / blind drunk

Magro da far paura / terribly thin

Nuovo di zecca / Brand-new

Nuovo fiammante / Mint

Pieno zeppo / Jam-packed (crammed with)

Vecchio decrepito / An old fossil

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