Language/Faroese/Grammar/Comparatives

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Faroese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Adjectives and Comparatives → Comparatives

In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of comparatives in the Faroese language. Comparatives are an essential part of any language, as they allow us to compare and contrast different things or people. By learning how to form and use comparatives in Faroese, you will be able to express comparisons more effectively and accurately. This lesson will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of comparatives, including their formation and usage in various contexts. Let's get started!

Formation of Comparatives

Comparatives in Faroese are formed by adding specific endings to adjectives, depending on the number, gender, and case of the noun they modify. The comparative endings vary depending on whether the adjective ends in a consonant or a vowel. Here is a breakdown of the comparative endings for adjectives:

Adjectives Ending in a Consonant

When the adjective ends in a consonant, the comparative form is created by adding the appropriate ending according to the number, gender, and case of the noun. The following table illustrates the comparative endings for adjectives ending in a consonant:

Number	Gender	Case	Comparative Ending
Singular	Masculine	Nominative	-ari
Singular	Masculine	Accusative	-gan
Singular	Feminine	Nominative	-ari
Singular	Feminine	Accusative	-gu
Singular	Neuter	Nominative	-ari
Singular	Neuter	Accusative	-gu
Plural	All Genders	Nominative	-ari
Plural	All Genders	Accusative	-gu

Let's look at some examples to understand the formation of comparatives with adjectives ending in a consonant:

• "Stór" (big) becomes "stórari" in the singular masculine nominative form: "Hann er stórari enn eg" (He is bigger than me).
• "Lítil" (small) becomes "lítlagan" in the singular masculine accusative form: "Hann hevur lítlagan hund" (He has a smaller dog).
• "Góð" (good) becomes "góðari" in the singular feminine nominative form: "Hon er góðari enn tú" (She is better than you).
• "Rós" (rose) becomes "rósari" in the singular neuter nominative form: "Hetta er rósari enn seinasta" (This is a bigger rose than the last one).
• "Stórir" (big) becomes "stórarari" in the plural nominative form: "Tær eru stórarari enn tey" (They are bigger than them).
• "Lítil" (small) becomes "lítlagu" in the plural accusative form: "Tær hava lítlagu børn" (They have smaller children).

Adjectives Ending in a Vowel

When the adjective ends in a vowel, the comparative form is created by adding the appropriate ending according to the number, gender, and case of the noun. The following table illustrates the comparative endings for adjectives ending in a vowel:

Number	Gender	Case	Comparative Ending
Singular	Masculine	Nominative	-ari
Singular	Masculine	Accusative	-gan
Singular	Feminine	Nominative	-ri
Singular	Feminine	Accusative	-gu
Singular	Neuter	Nominative	-ri
Singular	Neuter	Accusative	-gu
Plural	All Genders	Nominative	-ari
Plural	All Genders	Accusative	-gu

Let's look at some examples to understand the formation of comparatives with adjectives ending in a vowel:

• "Góður" (good) becomes "góðari" in the singular masculine nominative form: "Hann er góðari enn eg" (He is better than me).
• "Lítul" (small) becomes "lítlagan" in the singular masculine accusative form: "Hann hevur lítlagan hund" (He has a smaller dog).
• "Blíður" (kind) becomes "blíðari" in the singular feminine nominative form: "Hon er blíðari enn tú" (She is kinder than you).
• "Stórt" (big) becomes "stórtari" in the singular neuter nominative form: "Hetta er stórtari enn seinasta" (This is a bigger one than the last one).
• "Góðir" (good) becomes "góðarari" in the plural nominative form: "Tær eru góðarari enn tey" (They are better than them).
• "Lítul" (small) becomes "lítlagu" in the plural accusative form: "Tær hava lítlagu børn" (They have smaller children).

It's important to note that some adjectives have irregular comparative forms. For example, "góður" (good) becomes "betri" (better) in the comparative form. These irregular forms must be memorized as they do not follow the regular pattern.

Usage of Comparatives

Comparatives are used to compare two or more things or people in terms of a particular quality or characteristic. In Faroese, comparatives can be used in various contexts, including comparisons with "meira" (more), "minni" (less), and "so..sum" (as..as). Let's explore each of these contexts in detail:

Comparisons with "Meira" (More)

When comparing two things or people and stating that one has more of a certain quality than the other, the comparative form of the adjective is used along with the word "meira" (more). Here are some examples:

• "Hann er meira dugnaligur enn tú" (He is more skilled than you).
• "Hesi blómin eru meira prýdd enn tey aðru" (These flowers are more beautiful than the others).
• "Barnið er meira lærdómsætt enn systkinini" (The child is more obedient than the siblings).

In these examples, the comparative form of the adjective (e.g., "dugnaligur" - skilled, "prýdd" - beautiful, "lærdómsætt" - obedient) is used to express that one person or thing has more of a certain quality than the other.

Comparisons with "Minni" (Less)

Similarly, when comparing two things or people and stating that one has less of a certain quality than the other, the comparative form of the adjective is used along with the word "minni" (less). Here are some examples:

• "Hann er minni dugnaligur enn tú" (He is less skilled than you).
• "Hesi blómin eru minni prýdd enn tey aðru" (These flowers are less beautiful than the others).
• "Barnið er minni lærdómsætt enn systkinini" (The child is less obedient than the siblings).

In these examples, the comparative form of the adjective (e.g., "dugnaligur" - skilled, "prýdd" - beautiful, "lærdómsætt" - obedient) is used to express that one person or thing has less of a certain quality than the other.

Comparisons with "So..sum" (As..As)

Another common way to express comparisons in Faroese is by using the construction "so..sum" (as..as). This construction is used when two things or people are compared and stated to be equal in a certain quality or characteristic. Here are some examples:

• "Hann er so dugnaligur sum tú" (He is as skilled as you).
• "Hesi blómin eru so prýdd sum tey aðru" (These flowers are as beautiful as the others).
• "Barnið er so lærdómsætt sum systkinini" (The child is as obedient as the siblings).

In these examples, the adjective is not in its comparative form, but rather in its base form. The construction "so..sum" is used to express that two things or people are equal in a certain quality or characteristic.

Cultural Insights

The usage of comparatives in Faroese is influenced by the cultural context and regional variations. It's important to note that the Faroese language has been shaped by the unique history and culture of the Faroe Islands. The isolation of the islands and the close-knit nature of the community have contributed to the preservation of the Faroese language and its distinct features.

In the Faroese language, there is a strong emphasis on equality and fairness. This cultural value is reflected in the usage of comparatives, where the construction "so..sum" (as..as) is commonly used to express equality between two things or people. This reflects the egalitarian nature of Faroese society, where individuals are encouraged to treat each other as equals.

Furthermore, the Faroese language has evolved over time, incorporating influences from other Nordic languages such as Old Norse and Danish. These historical influences can be observed in the formation and usage of comparatives in Faroese. By understanding the cultural and historical context, learners of Faroese can gain a deeper appreciation for the language and its unique features.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned about comparatives in Faroese. Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks Choose the correct comparative form of the adjective to complete each sentence:

1. Hann er ____ (dugnaligur) enn eg. 2. Hesi bókurnar eru ____ (spennandi) enn tey aðru. 3. Tú ert ____ (klokur) enn systir tín. 4. Hettar dýrið er ____ (stórt) enn tað aðra. 5. Tær eru ____ (gløgg) enn tey.

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences Translate the following sentences from English to Faroese, using the appropriate comparative form of the adjective:

1. She is taller than him. 2. This car is faster than that one. 3. The book is more interesting than the movie. 4. They are less experienced than us. 5. He is as talented as his sister.

Solutions

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks 1. Hann er dugnaligari enn eg. 2. Hesi bókurnar eru spennandiari enn tey aðru. 3. Tú ert klokari enn systir tín. 4. Hettar dýrið er stórtari enn tað aðra. 5. Tær eru gløggari enn tey.

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences 1. Hon er hægri enn hann. 2. Hetta bilur er skjótari enn tað aðra. 3. Bókin er meira spennandi enn myndin. 4. Tær eru minni reyndarar enn vit. 5. Hann er so dugnaligur sum systir hansara.

Congratulations on completing the practice exercises! By practicing these exercises, you have reinforced your understanding of comparatives in Faroese and are on your way to becoming proficient in the language.

Table of Contents - Faroese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Pronouns and Verb To Be

• Personal Pronouns
• Verb To Be

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

  ---

Present Tense and Regular Verbs

• Present Tense
• Regular Verbs

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Comparatives

• Basic Adjectives
• Comparatives

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating and Drinking

  ---

Possessives

• Possessive Adjectives
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Question Words
• Negation

  ---

Hobbies and Interests

• Common Hobbies
• Discussing Interests

  ---

Prepositions

• Basic Prepositions
• Prepositional Phrases

  ---

Faroese Customs and Traditions

• Faroese Holidays
• Faroese Music and Dance

  ---

Weather and Seasons

• Weather Vocabulary
• Seasons

  ---

Past Tense

• Simple Past Tense
• Past Continuous Tense

  ---

Faroese Literature and Folklore

• Faroese Literature
• Faroese Folklore

Sources

• Faroese Grammar - Adjectives

Other Lessons

• Prepositional Phrases
• 0 to A1 Course
• Future Tense
• Conditional Mood
• Present Tense
• Regular Verbs
• How to Use Be
• Give your Opinion
• Adjectives

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