113. Superlatives (Superlativoj).
(a). The superlative of superiority is la plej = the most.
(b). The superlative of inferiority is la malplej = the least.
The preposition el = out of, of, is used with the superlative when it relates to numbers, or something collective, as a "group," "society," etc. But when the superlative relates to the place or position where the superiority is or was, then some other appropriate preposition is used.
Examples.—Johano estas la plej forta el la knaboj = John is the strongest of the boys. Petro estis la plej malforta el ĉiuj = Peter was the weakest of (out of) all. Georgo estas la malplej kuraĝa knabo en la domo = George is the least courageous boy in the house. Ŝi estis la plej bela virino, kiun mi iam vidis = She was the most beautiful woman whom I ever saw. Tiuj ĉi estas la plej grandaj arboj en la arbaro = These are the largest trees in the wood. Li estis la plej bona Esperantisto el la grupo (klubo, societo) = He was the best Esperantist of the group (club, society). Metu la plej grandajn glasojn sur la tablon = Put the largest glasses upon the table. Ne ĵetu la plej grandajn ŝtonojn en la puton, sed la plej malgrandajn (malplej grandajn) = Do not throw the largest stones into the well, but the smallest (the least large).
(c). The superlative absolute is indicated by tre
= very, or treege = exceedingly, or troe = excessively, or some other suitable adverb.
Example.—Tiu virino estas tre malbela kaj treege grasa = That woman is very ugly and exceedingly fat.
114. Degrees of intensity of adjectives can also be shown by the aid of the suffixes -EG- and -ET- with or without an adverb. The suffix -EG- is stronger in its application than the adverb tre = very. For instance, take the adjective bela = beautiful, or fine. Tre bela = very beautiful, or very fine; but belega = magnificent, or superb. So, the diminutive -ET- shows more diminution than the adjective malgranda = small, or little, would show when qualifying a noun. For instance, malgranda rivero = a small river, but rivereto = a brook, or stream. The following list shows how twelve adjectives of varying shades of intensity can be formed from the root varm-, between the extremes tre varmega = broiling hot and tre malvarmega = intensely cold, supposing we were speaking of the weather:—
| Tre varmega = Broiling hot. | Tre malvarmega = Intensely cold. |
| Varmega = Hot. | Malvarmega = Bitterly cold. |
| Tre varma = Very warm. | Tre malvarma = Very cold. |
| Varma = Warm. | Malvarma = Cold. |
| Iom varma = Warmish. | Iom malvarma = Coldish. |
| Varmeta = Mild. | Malvarmeta = Cool. |