Absolute Comparatives

In certain set expressions, a comparative form may also just indicate a comparatively higher degree.For example, a höhere Schule, the equivalent of the American high school, is a school that is "higher" than the Grundschule and Hauptschule, elementary school, but "lower" than a Hochschule, university. An älterer Herr, therefore, is not someone who is very old but only an "elderly gentleman."

ein längerer Brief

ein größerer Geldbetrag

eine längere Reise

neuere Sprachen

a lengthy (rather long) letter

a rather large amount of money

a rather long trip

modern languages

Superlative forms may be used to indicate a very high degree -- but not the highest degree -- of a given attribute. This form does not intend a comparison. With attributive adjectives, it usually occurs without an article but with the appropriate inflectional ending.

Beste Grüße!

Hier gibt es nur beste Weine.

Die Firma arbeitet mit modernsten Maschinen.

Best regards!

Only the best wines are served here.

The factory works with the most modern machines.

-st
-stens
aufs -ste

Ulla kommt meist zu spät.
Ulla kommt meistens zu spät.

Rauchen ist strengstens verboten.
Peter ist höchstens 20 Jahre alt.
Melissa Schmidt arbeitet mindestens 5 Tage in der Woche.
Barbara Schulze kommt frühestens am Montag zurück.
Er versprach, sie spätestens am Wochenende anzurufen.

Lisa hat gestern aufs fleißigste gearbeitet.

Ulla arrives too late usually / most of the time / mostly.

Smoking is strictly prohibited.
Peter is at the most 20 years old.
Melissa Schmidt works at least five days a week.
Barbara Schulze will return on Monday at the earliest.
He promised to call her on the weekend at the latest.

Lisa worked most diligently yesterday.