最(もっと)も

もっとも
adverb
most, extremely
1. most, extremely
Indicates the highest degree or superlative.
これが最(もっと)も大切(たいせつ)です。
This is the most important.
彼(かれ)は最(もっと)も優(すぐ)れた選手(せんしゅ)だ。
He is the most excellent player.
最(もっと)も人気(にんき)のある映画(えいが)。
The most popular movie.

最(もっと)も is the formal/written superlative adverb meaning "most." It modifies adjectives and verbs to express the highest degree.

PATTERN:
最(もっと)も + adjective/verb: the most ~

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 最(もっと)も重要(じゅうよう)な: the most important
  • 最(もっと)も良(よ)い: the best
  • 最(もっと)も多(おお)い: the most (in quantity)
  • 最(もっと)も優(すぐ)れた: the most excellent

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 一番(いちばん): most (everyday, casual) — preferred in conversation
  • 最(もっと)も: most (formal, written) — preferred in essays, speeches, news

Both are interchangeable in meaning, but 最(もっと)も sounds more polished.

CAUTION:
Do not confuse with もっと (more), which is comparative, not superlative. もっと早(はや)く = faster; 最(もっと)も早(はや)い = the fastest.

Related Words

Synonym: 一番(いちばん) (most (casual))
Contrast: もっと (more (comparative))
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:22 · Revised 2026.4.5 15:38
01500/01736_mottomo