am -sten

Superlative Form

Level 2

The superlative am -sten is the standard way to say 'the most' or 'the -est' in German when describing how something is or how an action is performed. It is used for both predicative adjectives (after 'to be') and adverbs.

How It Works

The am -sten form is used for adverbs modifying a verb and for absolute predicate adjectives (describing a subject without implying a specific noun). Note that if a noun is understood or implied, you would use the definite article instead (e.g., Dieses Auto ist das schnellste). A great relief for learners is that the am -sten form is invariant—it never changes to agree with gender, case, or number. It is technically a contraction of the preposition an and the dative article dem, which is why the word always takes the -en ending.

1. Basic Formation:
Add -st- to the stem, then add the ending -en.
Example: klein → am kleinsten.

2. Spelling Adjustments:

  • The -e- insertion: If a word ends in -d, -t, -s, -ß, -sch, -z, or -x, add an -e- before the -st to make it easier to pronounce.
    Example: kalt → am kältesten; süß → am süßesten. Note: Polysyllabic words ending in an unstressed syllable with -d or -t (like present participles ending in -end or past participles) do not take the extra -e-: spannend → am spannendsten. Adjectives ending in the suffix -isch also do not take the extra -e-: praktisch → am praktischsten.
  • Umlauts: Many one-syllable adjectives with a, o, or u change to ä, ö, or ü.
    Example: jung → am jüngsten; warm → am wärmsten.
  • Words ending in -el and -er: Unlike in the comparative form where they drop the 'e', adjectives ending in -el and -er keep their 'e' in the superlative.
    Example: dunkel → am dunkelsten; teuer → am teuersten.
  • Words ending in -e: Adjectives that already end in an unstressed -e simply add -sten.
    Example: leise → am leisesten; müde → am müdesten.

3. Irregular Forms:
Some common words change their stems entirely or have unique rules:

  • gut → am besten (the best)
  • gern → am liebsten (the most gladly / favorite)
  • viel → am meisten (the most)
  • hoch → am höchsten (the highest)
  • nah → am nächsten (the nearest/closest)
  • groß → am größten (the biggest - it is an exception to the -e- insertion rule for words ending in -ß, taking the standard -st suffix instead)

Examples (5)

  1. Im Sommer sind die Tage am längsten.

    In summer, the days are the longest.

    Word by Word: In summer are the days at longest.

    Here, 'am längsten' is used predicatively after the verb 'sind' (to be).

  2. Welcher Läufer rennt am schnellsten?

    Which runner runs the fastest?

    Word by Word: Which runner runs at fastest.

    In this case, 'am schnellsten' functions as an adverb describing the verb 'rennt'.

  3. Dieses Problem ist am schwierigsten zu lösen.

    This problem is the most difficult to solve.

    Word by Word: This problem is at most difficult to solve.

    Here, 'am schwierigsten' is formed regularly by adding '-sten' to the adjective 'schwierig'.

  4. Pizza schmeckt mir am besten.

    Pizza tastes the best to me.

    Word by Word: Pizza tastes to me at best.

    'Am besten' is the irregular superlative of 'gut'.

  5. Im Winter ist es am kältesten.

    In winter it is the coldest.

    Word by Word: In winter is it at coldest.

    Because 'kalt' ends in 't', an extra 'e' is added: 'kältesten'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'am -sten' before a noun.

    Das ist das am schnellsten Auto.
    Das ist das schnellste Auto.

    If the adjective comes before a noun, you must use the attributive superlative (ending in -ste, -sten, etc.) rather than the 'am -sten' form.

  • Forgetting the 'e' for words ending in 't' or 'd'.

    Heute ist es am kältsten.
    Heute ist es am kältesten.

    Most adjectives ending in 't', 'd', or s-sounds need an extra 'e' for pronunciation before the 'st'.

  • Translating 'the most' literally as 'am meisten'.

    Sie ist am meisten schön.
    Sie ist am schönsten.

    In German, you don't use 'am meisten' (the most) to form the superlative of other adjectives. You must change the adjective itself to the 'am -sten' form.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

am -stenLevel 2Superlative Form

Learn This First

To learn the superlative, learners first need to understand how adjectives function as predicates and how they are placed before nouns. Additionally, familiarity with the comparative form provides the conceptual foundation for degrees of comparison in German.

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Words in This Pattern

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