Les Superlatifs

By the end of this lesson, you will form superlatives with adjectives and adverbs and place them correctly in relation to the noun.

What Is a Superlative?

A superlative expresses the highest or lowest degree — the best, the worst, the most interesting, the least expensive. French forms superlatives by adding the definite article before plus or moins.

le/la/les + plus/moins + adjective/adverb

C'est le film le plus intéressant. — It's the most interesting film. Elle est la plus grande de la classe. — She is the tallest in the class. C'est le moins cher. — It's the least expensive.

Superlatives with Adjectives

Position: Before the Noun

When the adjective normally comes before the noun (grand, petit, jeune, vieux, bon, beau…), the superlative also comes before:

le/la/les + plus/moins + adjective + noun

C'est le plus grand pays d'Europe. — It is the largest country in Europe. C'est la plus petite chambre. — It is the smallest room. Ce sont les plus beaux paysages. — These are the most beautiful landscapes.

Position: After the Noun

When the adjective normally comes after the noun (most adjectives), the superlative also comes after. The article appears twice — once with the noun and once with the superlative:

noun + article + plus/moins + adjective

C'est le restaurant le plus cher de la ville. — It is the most expensive restaurant in the city. C'est la question la plus difficile. — It is the most difficult question. Ce sont les exercices les moins utiles. — These are the least useful exercises.

The second article (le/la/les) agrees with the noun being described — not with plus itself.

Agreement

The adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun, as always:

Noun	Superlative
le film (m. sg.)	le film le plus intéressant
la ville (f. sg.)	la ville la plus belle