Absolute Superlatives (-ísimo)
To describe something in the extreme—meaning "extremely," "incredibly," or "super"—add the suffix -ísimo to an adjective. This creates an absolute superlative, perfect for detailing the intense, massive, and harsh environments of deep space.
To form an absolute superlative, drop the final vowel of the adjective (if it has one) and attach -ísimo. Like standard adjectives, this new form must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (-ísimo, -ísima, -ísimos, -ísimas).
For a masculine noun like el exoplaneta, the adjective lejano (distant) becomes lejanísimo (extremely distant):
| This exoplanet is extremely distant. | Este exoplaneta es lejanísimo. |
| Perhaps we will discover an extremely massive exoplanet. | Quizás descubriremos un exoplaneta masivísimo. |
When the noun is feminine, such as la tormenta (the storm) or la galaxia (the galaxy), the ending changes to -ísima:
| The storm will be extremely violent in that dense atmosphere. | La tormenta será violentísima en esa atmósfera densa. |
| Perhaps they will find a habitable planet in that extremely distant galaxy. | Tal vez encontrarán un planeta habitable en esa galaxia lejanísima. |
Because -ísimo simply modifies an adjective, you can use these extreme descriptions anywhere you would use a normal adjective, including in subjunctive clauses following expressions like ojalá:
| I wish the core were not extremely massive. | Ojalá que el núcleo no fuera masivísimo. |
| I wish this extremely extensive valley were habitable. | Ojalá este valle extensísimo fuera habitable. |