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最zuì(before an adjective or verb) to the highest degree; (the) most ...; -est

HSK 2word

By Chinese Copilot · Last updated

最 (zuì) means "most" or the "-est" end of a scale. Put it before an adjective to form a superlative, as in 最好. It can also come before certain feeling verbs such as 喜欢. This entry is the degree / superlative reading before adjectives and verbs.

What does 最 mean?

  1. 1.

    (before an adjective or verb) to the highest degree; (the) most ...; -estadverb

What does the character 最 mean?

  • 最(before an adjective or verb) to the highest degree; (the) most ...; -est

How do you use 最?

Grammar patterns

  1. 1

    最 + Adj.

    Put 最 before an adjective to form the superlative ("most …" / "-est").

  2. 2

    最 + [Psychological Verb] + Obj. (+ 了)

    Put 最 before feeling verbs such as 喜欢 to say what you like or feel the most.

最 goes right before the adjective or feeling verb; an optional 了 after the adjective can add spoken emphasis.

Patterns

  • 最 + Adj.

    哪个最好？

    Nǎ ge zuì hǎo?

    Which one is the best?

  • 最 + 喜欢 + Obj.

    我最喜欢这个。

    Wǒ zuì xǐ huan zhè ge.

    This is my favorite.

  • 最 + Adj. + 了

    今天最好了。

    Jīn tiān zuì hǎo le.

    Today is the best.

What are some examples of 最 in a sentence?

  1. HSK 1

    哪个最好？

    Nǎge zuìhǎo?

    Which one is the best?

  2. HSK 1

    他最好。

    Tā zuìhǎo.

    He is the best.

  3. HSK 1

    我最喜欢这个。

    Wǒ zuì xǐhuan zhège.

    I like this the most. / This is my favorite.

  4. HSK 1

    今天最好了。

    Jīntiān zuìhǎo le.

    Today is the best.

How is 最 different from 很?

很 means "very" (a high degree, not the top). 最 marks the top of the scale ("most" / "-est"). 很好 is very good; 最好 is the best.

Only 最 fits here

哪个最好？

Nǎ ge zuì hǎo?

Which one is the best?

How is 最 used in a conversation?

  1. Speaker A:

    哪个最好？

    Nǎge zuìhǎo?

    Which one is the best?

  2. Speaker B:

    这个最好。

    Zhège zuìhǎo.

    This one is the best.

  3. Speaker A:

    你最喜欢什么？

    Nǐ zuì xǐhuan shénme?

    What do you like the most?

  4. Speaker B:

    我最喜欢这个。

    Wǒ zuì xǐhuan zhège.

    I like this the most.

  5. Speaker A:

    今天好吗？

    Jīntiān hǎo ma?

    Is today good?

  6. Speaker B:

    今天最好了。

    Jīntiān zuìhǎo le.

    Today is the best.

Can you use 最 correctly?

0 of 3 answered
  1. 1.Fill in the blank: 哪个___好？
  2. 2.Which sentence means "He is the best"?
  3. 3.Fill in the blank: 我___喜欢这个。

What should you learn next?

Related words

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English glosses on this page are adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG (snapshot 2026-10-23), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses were edited for learners.