Breakdown of Det var den allra härligaste upplevelsen.
vara
to be
det
it (neuter)
den
the (with en-words)
allra
the very
Questions & Answers about Det var den allra härligaste upplevelsen.
How exactly does allra work here with härligaste?
allra translates to 'the very' and is used right before a superlative adjective to intensify it. In this sentence, it strengthens härligaste (most wonderful) to mean 'the very most wonderful'.
Why is it den allra härligaste upplevelsen and not just allra härligaste upplevelsen?
Because Swedish uses the double definite form when there is an adjective (even a superlative one) modifying a specific noun. You need the independent article den, the definite superlative adjective härligaste, and the definite noun upplevelsen.
Why does the superlative end in -aste instead of just -ast?
When a superlative adjective is used in a definite noun phrase (following den, det, or de), it must take the definite ending. For superlatives, this ending is almost always -e, turning the basic superlative härligast into härligaste.
Is upplevelsen an en-word or an ett-word, and how can I tell from this sentence?