
Superlative adjectives
In Norwegian, we can use the superlative degree even when we compare just two things. For example:
- Hvilken bil er dyrest, Jaguar eller Ferrari?
It may be confusing because in English we would use the comparative degree here: Which car is more expensive, Jaguar or Ferrari? In Norwegian, it is not the case.
- Hvem er høyest, Anders eller Andreas? – Who is taller, Andres or Andreas?
However, if you use “enn” in a sentence, use the comparative degree:
- Ferrari er dyrere enn Jaguar. – Ferrari is more expensive than Jaguar.
Definite form in the superlative degree.
Look at this sentence:
- Geirangerfjorden er en av de vakreste fjordene.
In this sentence, the adjective in superlative (vakreste) has a definite form. As you notice, we have added an ending -e and we use this adjective with the definite article and noun:
- de vakreste fjordene – the most beautiful fjords.
See more examples:
- den peneste jenta – the prettiest girl
- det nyeste huset – the newest house
- den mest interessante boken – the most interesting book
Compare how we use both forms of superlative in these examples:
- Maria er yngst av de to jentene. – Maria is the youngest of the two girls.
- Maria er den yngste jenta av dem. – Maria is the youngest of them.
So remember to use det/den/de + adjective+e + definite noun