最

㝡/冣
zuì
取 + 日
HSK 2.0Level 2
HSK 3.0Level 2

Definitions

zuì (adverb) most; the most; -est (superlative suffix)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 取 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "gather". The meaning later shifted to "accumulate", "many" and "most". Originally written as 㝡. Later extra strokes were added to the 宀 component.

About

The character 最 developed from a phonosemantic compound, originally written as 㝡 with the roof component 宀 placed over 取. In this structure, 宀 hints at the meaning "gather", while 取 (qǔ) supplies the sound. Extra strokes were later added to the 宀 element, producing the modern top portion that now resembles 曰. From the early sense "gather", the meaning shifted to "accumulate" and "many", and finally settled into its current use as a superlative marker expressing "most" or "extremely".

Example Sentences Hide

我最喜欢苹果。

Wǒ zuì xǐhuān píngguǒ.

I like apples the most.

今天是最热的一天。

Jīntiān shì zuì rè de yī tiān.

Today is the hottest day.

这本书最有意思。

Zhè běn shū zuì yǒuyìsi.

This book is the most interesting.

我最想去的地方是北京。

Wǒ zuì xiǎng qù de dìfāng shì Běijīng.

The place I want to go to the most is Beijing.

你最喜欢什么颜色？

Nǐ zuì xǐhuān shénme yánsè?

What color do you like the most?

我认为学习中文最有趣。

Wǒ rènwéi xuéxí Zhōngwén zuì yǒuqù.

I think learning Chinese is the most fun.

在所有的比赛中，他跑得最快。

Zài suǒyǒu de bǐsài zhōng, tā pǎo de zuì kuài.

In all the competitions, he runs the fastest.

尽管天气不好，但我们玩得最开心。

Jǐnguǎn tiānqì bù hǎo, dàn wǒmen wán de zuì kāixīn.

Even though the weather was bad, we had the most fun.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

撮 嘬 蕞 樶

Component: 取

趣 聚 娶 诹 鲰 陬 菆 諏 緅 㝡 冣 叢 娵 掫

Component: 日

是 时 日 者 明 间 果 更 电 复 易 早 显 星

Example Words

最后 最好 最新 最终 最近 最高 最低点 最佳 最优 最先 最初 最喜爱 最多 最大化 最小值 最小化 最少 最为 最远