French grammar - Superlatives |
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Superlatives are used to express the highest quality or degree. In French we simply add the definite article to the comparative. For instance: • le meilleur means 'the best' (masculine singular) • le pire means 'the worst' (masculine singular) • la plus belle means 'the most beautiful' (feminine singular) • les plus lentement means 'the slowest' (plural) • les mons cheres means 'the least expensive' (feminine plural) If the superlative is an adjective, the definite articles and the comparative adjectives should agree with the noun in gender and number. -- For adjectives, the position of the superlative (before or after the noun) follows the same rules as for regular adjectives. If the superlative is an adverb, then the definite article should always be the masculine singular le. The personal pronouns can be used in place of definite articles when the superlative is attributed to someone. |
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Mon école est la meilleure école de la ville.
My school is the best school in town. |
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C'est sans aucun doute le meilleur steak de Paris.
It is without a doubt the best steak in Paris. |
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Quel est le portable le moins cher d'Apple ?
What is Apple's cheapest laptop? |
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Ce sont les chocolats les plus savoureux du monde.
They are the tastiest chocolates in the world. |
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Où puis-je acheter les draps en coton les plus doux ?
Where can I buy the softest cotton sheets? |
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C'est la fête la plus amusante de tous les temps.
It's the funniest party ever. |
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Il n'achète que les fraises les meilleures et les plus chères.
He only buys the best and most expensive strawberries. |
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Ce sont les routes les plus accidentées du pays.
These are the most rugged roads in the country. |
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C'est sa plus mauvaise chanson.
It's his worst song.
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Est-ce votre meilleure tentative ?
Is this your (formal) best attempt?
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Je viens de me réveiller du rêve le plus effrayant.
I just woke up from the scariest dream. |
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Ce semestre, j'ai eu mes pires notes scolaires.
This semester, I had my worst school grades. |
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Il est le plus grand garçon de ma classe.
He is the tallest boy in my class. |
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À votre avis, quel est le parfum de glace le plus populaire ?
In your (formal) opinion, which is the most popular flavor of ice cream? |
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À votre avis, quelle est la plus belle fleur ?
In your (formal) opinion, which is the most beautiful flower? |
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Il parle le mieux l'allemand parmi mes amis.
He speaks the best German among my friends.
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Mon père est le nageur le plus faible de la famille.
My father is the weakest swimmer in the family. |
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Mon frère nage le plus vite de la famille.
My brother swims the fastest in the family. |
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Le TGV est le train le plus rapide du monde.
The TGV is the fastest train in the world. |
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