Language/Lingala/Grammar/Comparative-and-Superlative

Lingala → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Adjectives and Adverbs → Comparative and Superlative

As we continue with our Complete 0 to A1 Lingala Course, we will now focus on comparative and superlative adjectives. In this lesson, you will learn how to form these types of adjectives in Lingala in order to compare and contrast things.

Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Wh Questions & Create simple sentences in the negative.

Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare or indicate the relative degree of difference between two people, places or things. In Lingala, comparative adjectives can be formed in two ways:

1. Using the word "mbongo" 2. Using the prefix "na" with the adjective

Here's an example using the word "mbongo":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English
Mbongo ya moto ezali malamu na mbongo ya mosoni.	[mbònɡó jà mòtó ézàli màlàmù nà mbònɡó yà mosó̃ní]	A fire is hotter than ice.

And here's an example using the prefix "na":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English
Nzoto na ngai ezali nzelé na nzoto na yo.	[nzòtó në ngài èzàli nzèlé në nzòtó në yo]	My back is broader than yours.

To form comparative adjectives with "na", simply add the prefix before the adjective. Keep in mind that this prefix will change with respect to the noun class and tense.

Here are some examples with the prefix "na":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English
Nina ezali na bilele bya mokili.	[nìnà èzàli në bilèlè byà mòkìlì]	Nina is taller than the trees.
Bolamu na ngai ezali makasi na bolamu na yo.	[bòlàmù në ngài èzàli màkàsì në bòlàmù në yò]	My health is better than yours.
Moto na ngai ezali malembe na moto na yo.	[mòtó në ngài èzàli màlèmbè në mòtó në yò]	I am faster than you.

The word "mbongo" can be used as a stand-alone comparative adverb, but is more commonly used in comparison with a preposition. This is because it means "than". It can be used with the conjunction "oyo" and the preposition "na" to mean "than this" or "than that".

Here are some examples using "mbongo" in comparison with a preposition:

Lingala	Pronunciation	English
Ngai na yo: bikamwa ebongo na mikili ya bato.	[ngài në yò: bikàmwà èbóngo nà mìkílì yà bàtó]	Me and you: brains are better than brawn.
Ngaï: ngolu mekolo ezali ebongo na se.	[ngàï: ñólù mèkólò èzàli èbóngo në sé]	I: a year is longer than a day.

In both of the tables above, you can see that "mbongo" was used to indicate the comparison, and either the preposition "na" or the conjunction "oyo" was used to provide additional context.

Superlative Adjectives

Superlative adjectives allow us to compare one person, place or thing with all others in a collection or group. In Lingala, we can form the superlative in two ways:

1. Using the word "koluka mingi" 2. Using the prefix "na" with the adjective followed by "moko"

Here's an example using "koluka mingi":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English
Ngaï eué na okolo yango, ekobanda koluka mingi.	[ngàï éwé në òkòlò yàngò, èkobàndà kòlùkà mìngì]	I have seen many places, but this is the best.

And here's an example using the prefix "na" followed by "moko":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English
Nzoto na yo ezali na motema moko elongo.	[nzòtó në yò èzàli në mòtémà mòkò èlòngò]	Your back is the widest.

To form superlative adjectives with "na moko", simply add the prefix to the adjective and add "moko" after it. Keep in mind that the prefix will change depending on the noun class and tense.

Here are some examples with "na moko":

Lingala	Pronunciation	English
Ngolu na ngai ezali ya koluka mingi na ngolu ya mosali.	[ñólù në ngài èzàli yà kólùkà mìŋgì në ñólù në mosàlì]	My heart is the biggest of all girls.
Ngai na yo, ngaï ezali ya koluka mingi na balabala ya mbula.	[ngài në yò ngàï èzàli yà kólùkà mìŋgì në balàbalà yà mbùlà]	Mine is the best in the river. Exceptions It is important to note that certain adjectives don't follow the standard rules when forming the comparative and superlative in Lingala. For example, the adjective "nzela" (long) has the irregular forms "nzela tina" (longer) and "nzela tango" (longest). Here's an example: Lingala Pronunciation English Ngaï na yo ezali na likambo tango na nzela. [ngàï në yò èzàli në likàmbò të̃́gò në nzèlà] Mine is the longest speech. Some other adjectives that follow irregular rules include "yéle" (small, little), "mobali" (strong), and "mateya" (mad). Practice Take some time to practice forming comparative and superlative adjectives in Lingala. Try to use both methods of forming comparative adjectives (mbongo vs. na) and superlative adjectives (koluka mingi vs. na moko), and don't forget to use the proper prefixes in agreement with the noun classes and tenses. With some practice, you'll be able to compare and contrast with ease! Table of Contents - Lingala Course - 0 to A1 Course Presentation Greetings and Introductions Basic Greetings Introducing Yourself Nouns and Pronouns Singular and Plural Nouns Subject Pronouns Object Pronouns Numbers and Time Numbers 1-10 Telling Time Verbs and Conjugation Regular Verbs Irregular Verbs Negation Family and Relationships Family Members Relationships Adjectives and Adverbs Descriptive Adjectives Comparative and Superlative Adverbs Food and Dining Common Foods Eating Out Prepositions and Conjunctions Prepositions Conjunctions Travel and Transportation Modes of Transportation Travel Phrases Lingala Culture and Traditions Festivals and Celebrations Traditional Music and Dance Traditional Foods Arts and Crafts Professions and Hobbies Common Professions Hobbies and Interests Questions and Interrogatives Yes/No Questions Wh- Questions Daily Routines and Activities Morning Routine Work and School Evening Routine Imperatives and Commands Forming Imperatives Using Commands in Context Other Lessons Subject pronouns Give your Opinion Present Tense Present progressive tense The subjunctive The First 10 Verbs Past progressive tense Gender Time adverbs Negation