最 (zuì) — most; -est (superlative)

最 (zuì)

最 is the superlative marker in Chinese. It always goes directly before an adjective or verb, never after it. Use it to form "the most…" or the "-est" form in English: 最好 (best), 最大 (biggest), 最喜欢 (like most). No additional words like 的 are needed between 最 and the adjective.

Meanings

1. [adv] Most; -est — forms the superlative of adjectives and stative verbs.
2. [adv] Best; to the highest degree — used with preference verbs like 喜欢, 想.

Example Sentences

这是我最喜欢的歌。 Zhè shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de gē. This is my favorite song (the song I like most).

北京是中国最大的城市之一。 Běijīng shì Zhōngguó zuì dà de chéngshì zhī yī. Beijing is one of China's largest cities.

最重要的是要努力。 Zuì zhòngyào de shì yào nǔlì. The most important thing is to work hard.

今天是今年最热的一天。 Jīntiān shì jīnnián zuì rè de yī tiān. Today is the hottest day of the year.

Collocations

Memory Hook

最 looks complex, but remember it as the word that always stands at the very top — just like the superlative it expresses.