How to say the most / the least + adjective in Spanish (superlatives)

 

The most/the least in Spanish

Have a look at these examples to see how we say the most + [adjective] (e.g. the most amazing) or the [adjective]-est (e.g. the tallest)

En el mundo hay muchos países interesantes pero para mí, el más interesante es Australia.In the world there are lots of interesting countries, but for me, the most interesting (one) is Australia.

En mi familia, yo soy la más vaga.In my family, I am the laziest.

Los más ricos compran casas y coches muy caros.The richest (people) buy very expensive houses and cars.

Los más listos ganan premios y becas.The smartest win prizes and scholarships.

Nosotras somos las más humildes del pueblo.We are the poorest in town.

The most with singular nouns in Spanish

To say something/someone is the most + [adjective], follow this rule for singular nouns:

  • el más + [adjective agreeing with the noun]
  • la más + [adjective agreeing with the noun]

Look at and listen to these examples:

Pablo es el más guapo de mi clase.Pablo is the most handsome in my class.

Cristina es la más curiosa de mis amigas.Cristina is the nosiest of my friends.

The most with plural nouns in Spanish

Use this rule for plural nouns:

  • los más + [adjective agreeing with the noun]
  • las más + [adjective agreeing with the noun]

Look at and listen to these examples:

Alfredo y Javier son los más educados.Alfredo and Javier are the most polite.

Las manzanas rojas son las más baratas.The red apples are the cheapest.

Bear in mind that you can also include the noun in the structure: the most/least +adjective + noun ; for example: 

Creo que la torre más alta del mundo está en Tokio.I believe the tallest tower in the world is in Tokyo.

Hoy he visitado los monumentos menos interesantes de la ciudad. Ha sido aburrido.Today I visited the least interesting monuments of the city. It was boring.

It is important to remember in this case that in Spanish the placement of the noun is different: the noun is placed before the superlative as a general rule. 

 

Agreement

Note that the article and adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun. 

El más pequeño. Los más pequeños.

La más pequeña. Las más pequeñas.

 

The least with singular and plural nouns in Spanish

The same rule applies when you want to say something/someone is the least + [adjective]. Look at and listen to these examples:

Ese libro es el menos interesante del mundo.That book is the least interesting in the world.

Esa chica es la menos alta.That girl is the least tall.

Mario y Daniel son los menos groseros.Mario and Daniel are the least rude.

Lisa y Nuria son las menos vagas.Lisa and Nuria are the least lazy.

Here too, the article and adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun. 

El menos grosero. La menos grosera.

Los menos groseros. Las menos groseras.

 

Article "lo" with the most/the least in Spanish

Bear in mind that if we are referring to something neutral (e.g. an idea, this thing, that thing...) the article to use is the neutral article "lo":

Eso es lo más parecido que he encontrado.That is the most similar thing I could find. [lit: that I have found]

Lo que te estoy contando es lo menos agradable de la historia. Ahora viene el final feliz.What I am telling you is the least pleasant thing/part of the story. There comes a happy ending.

The adjective is used in the singular masculine form. 

 

One of the most/least in Spanish

To express that someone/something is "one" of the most/least [adjective] among others we use:

Uno/-a de + superlative

Have a look at the following examples:

Pedro Almodóvar es uno de los directores españoles más conocidos internacionalmente.Pedro Almodóvar is one of the most internationally well-known Spanish film directors.

Mi vecina Lola es una de las personas menos organizadas que conozco.My neighbour Lola is one of the least organised people that I know.

El aceite de oliva es uno de los ingredientes más usados en la cocina española.Olive oil is one of the most commonly used ingredients in Spanish cuisine.

Notice how uno/-a agrees in gender with the what/who it refers to.

Note that when we say "one of the most + adjective + noun in [somewhere]" the preposition "de" tends to be used more than "en" in Spanish. 

Carlos es uno de los alumnos más inteligentes de mi clase. (more common)

Carlos es uno de los alumnos más inteligentes en mi clase. (less common)

(Carlos is one of the most intelligent pupils in my class.)

 See also How to say the best/the worst/the oldest/the youngest in Spanish (irregular superlatives)

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Examples and resources

Pablo es el más guapo de mi clase.Pablo is the most handsome in my class.
Mi vecina Lola es una de las personas menos organizadas que conozco.My neighbour Lola is one of the least organised people that I know.
Cristina es la más curiosa de mis amigas.Cristina is the nosiest of my friends.
El aceite de oliva es uno de los ingredientes más usados en la cocina española.Olive oil is one of the most commonly used ingredients in Spanish cuisine.
Pedro Almodóvar es uno de los directores españoles más conocidos internacionalmente.Pedro Almodóvar is one of the most internationally well-known Spanish film directors.
En mi familia, yo soy la más vaga.In my family, I am the laziest.
En el mundo hay muchos países interesantes pero para mí, el más interesante es Australia.In the world there are lots of interesting countries, but for me, the most interesting (one) is Australia.
Nosotras somos las más humildes del pueblo.We are the poorest in town.
Eso es lo más parecido que he encontrado.That is the most similar thing I could find. [lit: that I have found]
Lo que te estoy contando es lo menos agradable de la historia. Ahora viene el final feliz.What I am telling you is the least pleasant thing/part of the story. There comes a happy ending.
Creo que la torre más alta del mundo está en Tokio.I believe the tallest tower in the world is in Tokyo.
Lisa y Nuria son las menos vagas.Lisa and Nuria are the least lazy.
Hoy he visitado los monumentos menos interesantes de la ciudad. Ha sido aburrido.Today I visited the least interesting monuments of the city. It was boring.
Esa chica es la menos alta.That girl is the least tall.
Ese libro es el menos interesante del mundo.That book is the least interesting in the world.
Los más ricos compran casas y coches muy caros.The richest (people) buy very expensive houses and cars.
Ese libro es el menos interesante que he leído.That is the least interesting book that I have read.
Mario y Daniel son los menos groseros.Mario and Daniel are the least rude.
Los más listos ganan premios y becas.The smartest win prizes and scholarships.
Las manzanas rojas son las más baratas.The red apples are the cheapest.
Alfredo y Javier son los más educados.Alfredo and Javier are the most polite.
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