Forming Superlatives with "naj-"
In Polish, you form the superlative degree ("the biggest", "the deepest") by simply adding the prefix naj- to the comparative form of an adjective or adverb.
For example, if głębszy means "deeper", then najgłębszy means "the deepest". If większy means "bigger", then największy means "the biggest".
| This is the deepest ocean in the world. | To jest najgłębszy ocean na świecie. |
| This dog is the biggest in the world. | Ten pies jest największy na świecie. |
Irregular Superlatives
Adjectives and adverbs with irregular comparative forms maintain that irregularity in the superlative. You still just add naj- to the irregular comparative form:
- dobry (good) → lepszy (better) → najlepszy (the best)
- zły (bad) → gorszy (worse) → najgorszy (the worst)
- źle (badly) → gorzej (worse) → najgorzej (the worst - adverb)
| This team is the best and can win the match. | Ten zespół jest najlepszy i może wygrać mecz. |
| Our team is the worst, but we have the best champion. | Nasz zespół jest najgorszy, ale mamy najlepszego mistrza. |
| I think that he sings the worst. | Myślę, że on śpiewa najgorzej. |
Agreement and Cases
Because superlative adjectives are still adjectives, they take endings to match the gender, number, and case of the noun they describe. The naj- prefix stays at the beginning regardless of the grammatical case.
| This is the worst option, but the fastest solution. | To jest najgorsza opcja, ale najszybsze rozwiązanie. |
| My grandfather is the oldest person in the family. | Mój dziadek jest najstarszą osobą w rodzinie. |
| The best employee is talking with the worst boss. | Najlepszy pracownik rozmawia z najgorszym szefem. |
"Most" and "Least"
For some adjectives—especially longer ones or those of foreign origin—you do not use the naj- prefix. Instead, you form the superlative analytically by placing najbardziej (most) or najmniej (least) in front of the basic form of the adjective.
| most | najbardziej |
| least | najmniej |
| This solution is the most popular. | To rozwiązanie jest najbardziej popularne. |
| This is the least popular option. | To jest najmniej popularna opcja. |
