How to Say "supreme" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “supreme” is “supremo” — use 'supremo' when referring to the highest level of authority, rank, or power, often in a formal or governmental context.
supremo
soo-PREH-mohsuˈpɾemo
Examples
El rey es la autoridad suprema del reino.
The king is the supreme authority of the kingdom.
Él es la autoridad suprema en este país.
He is the supreme authority in this country.
La paz es el bien supremo que buscamos.
Peace is the ultimate good we seek.
El sabor de este chocolate es supremo.
The flavor of this chocolate is supreme (excellent).
Matching the Noun
Since 'supremo' is an adjective, it must match the gender of the noun it describes. Use 'supremo' for masculine nouns and 'suprema' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la ley suprema').
Placement
Mistake: “El supremo poder.”
Correction: El poder supremo. While it can sometimes go before the noun for emphasis, it usually follows the noun it describes.
sumo
SOO-mohˈsumo
Examples
Debes tener sumo cuidado al cruzar la calle.
You must have utmost care when crossing the street.
Manejó el jarrón antiguo con sumo cuidado.
He handled the antique vase with utmost care.
El Sumo Pontífice visitará el país el próximo mes.
The Supreme Pontiff will visit the country next month.
Es un asunto de sumo interés para la comunidad.
It is a matter of the highest interest to the community.
Matching Gender
This word must match the gender of the object it describes. While 'sumo' is for masculine items, you must use 'suma' for feminine items, like 'de suma importancia' (of supreme importance).
Positioning
As an adjective that emphasizes 'how much' or 'how great' something is, it almost always comes BEFORE the noun it describes.
Sumo vs. Muy
Mistake: “Con muy cuidado.”
Correction: Con sumo cuidado. While 'muy' means 'very,' 'sumo' is a specific adjective used to mean 'the highest degree' of a noun.
Confusing 'Supremo' and 'Sumo'
Related Translations
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