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adverb HSK 1
zuì
most · the most · -est (superlative)

Meaning

最 is the standard superlative marker in Mandarin Chinese, equivalent to 'most' or the '-est' suffix in English. It is placed directly before adjectives or certain verbs to indicate the highest degree of a quality or action. It's one of the first and most essential grammar words learners encounter.

Usage

最 appears before the adjective or verb it modifies, creating superlatives like 最好 (best), 最大 (biggest), 最喜欢 (like the most). It's used in both formal and informal contexts. Unlike English, Chinese doesn't distinguish between 'most' and '-est' forms—最 handles both.

Examples

  1. 01
    她是我们班最高的学生。
    Tā shì wǒmen bān zuì gāo de xuésheng.
    She is the tallest student in our class.
  2. 02
    我最喜欢吃中国菜。
    Wǒ zuì xǐhuan chī Zhōngguó cài.
    I like eating Chinese food the most.

Common collocations

  • 最好
    zuì hǎo
    best, it would be best to
  • 最近
    zuì jìn
    recently, lately
  • 最后
    zuì hòu
    finally, last
  • 最喜欢
    zuì xǐhuan
    to like the most, favorite

Origin

最 originally combined 日 (sun) over 取 (to take), suggesting 'gathering' or 'assembling' to reach the extreme or highest point. Over time it specialized as the superlative marker.

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