the most ... (superlative)

Ichiban (literally number one) before an adjective makes the superlative. The group is marked with de, often as no naka de: kazoku no naka de means within my family. For questions about three or more items, use nani, dare, or doko, not dochira.

Examples

• 家族かぞくの中なかで父ちちがいちばん背せが高たかいです。

  Kazoku no naka de chichi ga ichiban se ga takai desu.

  My father is the tallest in my family.

• 食たべ物ものの中なかで何なんがいちばん好すきですか。

  Tabemono no naka de nani ga ichiban suki desu ka.

  Of all foods, which do you like best?

Vocabulary in these examples

• 家族 family
• 中 inside; middle
• 父 father (one's own)
• 背 back; height
• 高い tall; expensive
• 食べ物 food

Related patterns · Comparisons

• AはBより〜 A is more ... than B
• 〜のほうが ... is more (the preferred or greater side)
• AとBとどちらが〜 which is more ..., A or B?