Translation and Meaning of: 最も - mottomo

The Japanese word 「最も」 (mottomo) is an adjective that conveys the meaning of "the most" or "extremely," usually used to express the maximum degree of a condition, state, or quantity. This word is often employed in contexts where there is a desire to intensify adjectives, for example, when highlighting that something or someone possesses a certain characteristic to a greater extent compared to others.

Etymologically, 「最も」 derives from the kanji 「最」, which generally means "most" or "extreme" and is used in various contexts to denote superlative. The kanji 「最」 is composed of the radical 「日」 (sun, day) and the radical 「取」 (to take), symbolizing the idea of capturing the highest or extreme prefix of something. This construction reflects its use in the Japanese language as an intensifier of adjectives, similar to the use of words like "most" in English.

The word 「最も」 is quite common in the Japanese language and appears in various formal and informal contexts. It can be used in a variety of situations, such as emphasizing the best, the worst, the greatest, among other superlatives. Additionally, 「最も」 can be seen in various forms of communication, such as in written language, literature, and frequently in everyday conversations. Combined with adjectives, it acquires a more emphatic meaning, helping speakers express exactly the degree of intensity they wish to convey.

Variations and Use in the Japanese Language

• In the form 「一番」 (ichiban), which also means "number one" or "first," it is used in a similar way, but often in less formal contexts.
• 「もっと」 (motto), which is a reduced and more casual form used to say "more" in the sense of quantity or degree, but not necessarily in the maximum superlative.

Understanding the use and connotation of 「最も」 is essential for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Japanese language, as it allows for more precise and expressive communication. The correct use of this term can enrich the vocabulary of learners, offering nuances that are essential for any fluent and articulate conversation in Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 最上 (Saijou) - The highest or the best level/in a superior position
• 最高 (Saikou) - The highest, the best in quality or status
• 最優 (Saiyuu) - The superior, the best in skill or performance.
• 最良 (Sairyou) - The best in quality, the ideal
• 最善 (Saizen) - The best in terms of morality or ethics
• 最大 (Saidai) - The largest in size or quantity
• 最大限 (Saidai-gen) - The largest possible, the maximum
• 最高峰 (Saikouhou) - The highest mountain, the highest peak
• 最上級 (Saijoukyuu) - The highest level, the upper grade
• 最優秀 (Saiyuu-shuu) - The most excellent, the best in terms of quality

最も

Romaji: mottomo
Kana: もっとも
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: more; extremely

Meaning in English: most;extremely

Definition: more: very; Indicates that the degree is very high.

Example Sentences - (最も) mottomo

See below some example sentences:

生存は人間にとって最も基本的な欲求の一つです。

Seizon wa ningen ni totte mottomo kihonteki na yokkyū no hitotsu desu

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

• 生存 - survival
• 人間 - Human being
• にとって - for
• 最も - the most
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 欲求 - wish
• の - of
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - is

炭素は地球上で最も豊富な元素の一つです。

Tanso wa chikyūjō de mottomo hōfu na genso no hitotsu desu

Carbon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth.

Carbon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth.

• 炭素 (tanso) - carbon
• は (wa) - marcador de tópico
• 地球上 (chikyuujo) - na Terra
• で (de) - marcador de localização
• 最も (mottomo) - maioria
• 豊富な (houfunna) - abundante
• 元素 (gensou) - element
• の (no) - possessive marker
• 一つ (hitotsu) - um
• です (desu) - copula

最も美しい花は桜です。

Saikō mo utsukushii hana wa sakura desu

The most beautiful flower is the cherry tree.

The most beautiful flower is cherry flowers.

• 最も - more
• 美しい - beautiful
• 花 - flower
• は - is
• 桜 - cherry blossom
• です - is (polite way of putting it)

住宅は私たちの人生の中で最も大きな買い物の一つです。

Jūtaku wa watashitachi no jinsei no naka de mottomo ōkina kaimono no hitotsu desu

A house is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

Housing is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

• 住宅 (juutaku) - house, residence
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we, our
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
• 最も (mottomo) - the most, the most important
• 大きな (ookina) - large
• 買い物 (kaimono) - purchase, purchase of goods
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - one of the
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

人類は地球上で最も進化した生物の一つです。

Jinrui wa chikyūjō de mottomo shinka shita seibutsu no hitotsu desu

Humanity is one of the most evolved creatures on earth.

Humanity is one of the most evolved creatures on earth.

• 人類 (jinrui) - Human race
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 地球上 (chikyuu jou) - in the land
• で (de) - Location particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 進化した (shinka shita) - evolved
• 生物 (seibutsu) - Living being
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です (desu) - Verb "to be"

主語は文の中で最も重要な役割を果たします。

Shugo wa bun no naka de mottomo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashimasu

The subject plays the most important role in the sentence.

• 主語 (shujo) - subject
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 文 (bun) - sentence
• の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
• 最も (mottomo) - more, the most
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role, function
• を果たします (wo hatashimasu) - perform, fulfill

人材は企業の最も貴重な資産です。

Jinzai wa kigyou no mottomo kichou na shisan desu

Human resources are the most valuable assets of a company.

Human resources are the most valuable assets of companies.

• 人材 (jinzai) - Human resources
• は (wa) - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 企業 (kigyou) - Company
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 最も (mottomo) - More
• 貴重な (kichou na) - Valuable
• 資産 (shisan) - Active
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

心臓は体の中で最も重要な器官です。

Shinzou wa karada no naka de mottomo juuyou na kikan desu

The heart is the most important organ in the body.

• 心臓 (shinzou) - heart
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 体 (karada) - body
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中 (naka) - inside
• で (de) - Location particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 器官 (kikan) - organ
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

脳は人間の最も重要な器官の一つです。

Nou wa ningen no mottomo juuyou na kikan no hitotsu desu

The brain is one of the most important organs of human beings.

• 脳 (nou) - brain
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人間 (ningen) - Human being
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 器官 (kikan) - organ
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です (desu) - to be