最
HSK 2- Comparison
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The adverb 最 is used to indicate the highest degree, equivalent to 'most' or '-est' in English.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
最 is a degree adverb indicating the highest degree, equivalent to the superlative in English (e.g., most beautiful, tallest, like the most). It is always placed before an adjective or verb expressing emotion or thought.
Unlike English, which has the more complex forms '-est' or 'most', Chinese only needs the single character 最. Quite simple, isn't it?
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他是最好的学生。繁: 他是最好的學生。Tā shì zuì hǎo de xuéshēng.
He is the best student.
- 我最喜欢夏天。繁: 我最喜歡夏天。Wǒ zuì xǐhuān xiàtiān.
I like summer the best.
- 这件衣服最贵。繁: 這件衣服最貴。Zhè jiàn yīfu zuì guì.
This shirt is the most expensive.
- 谁跑得最快？繁: 誰跑得最快？Shéi pǎo de zuì kuài?
Who runs the fastest?
- 今天是最冷的一天。Jīntiān shì zuì lěng de yì tiān.
Today is the coldest day.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他高最。Correct:他最高。
最 is an adverb that must precede the adjective it modifies, unlike Vietnamese's "adjective + nhất" structure.
- Wrong:他很最高。Correct:他最高。
最 already indicates the highest degree, so there is no need to add another degree adverb like 很 (very).