Language/Kirghiz/Grammar/Comparative-and-Superlative

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Kirghiz → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Comparative and Superlative

Welcome to this exciting lesson on the comparative and superlative forms in the Kirghiz language! Understanding how to express comparisons is crucial for effective communication, whether you're comparing objects, people, or even experiences. In Kirghiz, as in many languages, these forms allow us to convey a sense of degree and intensity, enriching our conversations and descriptions.

In this lesson, we'll explore:

• The formation of comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs in Kirghiz.

• Practical examples to illustrate each concept.

• Exercises to help you practice what you've learned.

This lesson is part of our "Complete 0 to A1 Kirghiz Course," designed to take you from a complete beginner to an A1 level speaker. So, let’s dive in!

Importance of Comparatives and Superlatives

Adjectives and adverbs are essential tools in any language that help us describe the world around us. By mastering the comparative and superlative forms, you can express how one thing is different from another, or how something stands out in a group. For instance, saying "This book is more interesting than that one" or "He is the fastest runner in the team" can convey nuanced meanings that enhance your communication.

Forming Comparatives

In Kirghiz, the comparative form is typically formed by adding a specific suffix to the base adjective. The suffix will depend on the final sound of the adjective. Here’s a basic rule:

• For most adjectives, you add -ырак / -ирек (for example, "жакшы" meaning "good" becomes "жакшыраак" meaning "better").

Let's look at some examples:

Kirghiz	Pronunciation	English
жакшы	jakshy	good
жакшылап	jakshylap	better
чоң	chon	big
чоңураак	chonuraak	bigger
кыска	kyiska	short
кыскарган	kyiskargan	shorter
узун	uzun	long
узунураак	uzunuraak	longer
жакшы	jakshy	good
жакшыраак	jakshyraak	better

Forming Superlatives

The superlative form is used to express the highest degree of a quality among three or more items. In Kirghiz, the superlative is often formed by adding the prefix -эң before the comparative form of the adjective.

For example:

• The word for "big" is "чоң," and the superlative "the biggest" is "эң чоң."

Here are more examples:

Kirghiz	Pronunciation	English
эң чоң	eñ chon	the biggest
эң жакшы	eñ jakshy	the best
эң кыска	eñ kyiska	the shortest
эң узун	eñ uzun	the longest
эң жакшыраак	eñ jakshyraak	the best
эң түшүнүктүү	eñ tүshүnүktү	the clearest
эң күчтүү	eñ kүchtyү	the strongest
эң акылдуу	eñ akyldү	the wisest
эң кызыктуу	eñ kyzyktү	the most interesting
эң кымбат	eñ kymbat	the most expensive

Practical Usage

Now that we've established how to form comparative and superlative adjectives, let's see how they can be used in sentences. Here are some examples that illustrate their usage in context:

1. Comparative:

• "Менин китебим сенин китебиңден жакшыраак."

Menin kitebim senin kitebiñden jakshyraak.

(My book is better than your book.)

2. Superlative:

• "Бул шаардагы эң чоң имарат."

Bul shaardagy eñ chon imarat.

(This is the biggest building in the city.)

3. Comparative:

• "Ал менден узунураак."

Al menden uzunuraak.

(He is taller than me.)

4. Superlative:

• "Анын жаратылышы эң кызыктуу."

Anyn jaratylyshy eñ kyzyktü.

(His nature is the most interesting.)

5. Comparative:

• "Эмне үчүн бул фильм ал эми эң жакшы?"

Emne üchün bul film al emе eñ jakshy?

(Why is this film better than the others?)

6. Superlative:

• "Бул шаардагы эң кымбат ресторан."

Bul shaardagy eñ kymbat restoran.

(This is the most expensive restaurant in the city.)

7. Comparative:

• "Бүгүнкү күн кечээгиден кыска."

Bügünkü kün kechegiden kyiska.

(Today is shorter than yesterday.)

8. Superlative:

• "Ал командадагы эң күчтүү оюнчу."

Al komandadagy eñ kүchtyü oюнchү.

(He is the strongest player in the team.)

9. Comparative:

• "Бул көйгөй ал эми эң оор."

Bul kögöy al emе eñ oor.

(This problem is tougher than the others.)

10. Superlative:

• "Анын жомогу эң акылдуу."

Anyn jomogu eñ akyldü.

(His story is the wisest.)

Exercises

Now it’s time for you to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help solidify your understanding of comparatives and superlatives in Kirghiz.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adjectives provided in parentheses.

1. Бул китеп __________ (жакшы) менин китебимден.

2. Анын үйү __________ (чоң) менин үйүмдөн.

3. Ал __________ (кыска) менден.

4. Эң __________ (кымбат) ресторан бул.

5. Менин машинам __________ (күчтүү) сенин машинаңдан.

Solutions

1. жакшыраак

2. чоңураак

3. узунураак

4. эң кымбат

5. күчтүү

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into Kirghiz.

1. This film is better than that one.

2. She is the fastest runner in the team.

3. This book is more interesting than the other.

4. He has the strongest voice in the choir.

5. Today is shorter than yesterday.

Solutions

1. Бул фильм ал эми жакшыраак.

2. Ал командадагы эң тез чуркоочу.

3. Бул китеп экинчи китептен кызыктыраак.

4. Ал хордо эң күчтүү үнгө ээ.

5. Бүгүнкү күн кечээгиден кыска.

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Use the following adjectives to create comparative and superlative sentences.

1. ак (white)

2. жакшы (good)

3. бийик (high)

4. кымбат (expensive)

5. жай (slow)

Solutions

1. Ак - акыраак; эң ак.

2. Жакшы - жакшыраак; эң жакшы.

3. Бийик - бийиктирек; эң бийик.

4. Кымбат - кымбатыраак; эң кымбат.

5. Жай - жайыраак; эң жай.

Exercise 4: Identify the Forms

Identify whether the underlined adjectives are in their comparative or superlative forms.

1. Ал эң жакшы студент. (___)

2. Бул үй чоңураак. (___)

3. Ал эң кыска адам. (___)

4. Бул кеча эң кызыктуу болду. (___)

5. Менин апам эң акылдуу. (___)

Solutions

1. Superlative

2. Comparative

3. Superlative

4. Superlative

5. Superlative

Exercise 5: Match the Sentences

Match the sentences in Column A with their corresponding translations in Column B.

| Column A | Column B |

|---|---|

| 1. Бул китеп жакшыраак. | A. This book is the best. |

| 2. Ал эң бийик. | B. He is taller than me. |

| 3. Бул фильм эң кызыктуу. | C. This film is better. |

| 4. Ал менден узунураак. | D. He is the tallest. |

| 5. Бул китеп эң жакшы. | E. This film is the most interesting. |

Solutions

1. C

2. D

3. E

4. B

5. A

Summary

In this lesson, we’ve explored how to form and use comparatives and superlatives in the Kirghiz language. By practicing these forms, you can greatly enhance your ability to express nuances in conversations.

Keep practicing these forms, as they are fundamental to improving your Kirghiz language skills. Next, we will delve into the topic of weather and seasons, where you will learn to describe the world around you even more vividly!

Table of Contents - Kirghiz Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Object-Verb Order
• Negation

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Cardinal Numbers
• Ordinal Numbers
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Cases
• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Status

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Food and Dining

• Meals and Ingredients
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Kirghiz Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Clothing

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparative and Superlative

  ---

Weather and Seasons

• Seasons
• Weather Conditions

  ---

Kirghiz Literature and Music

• Famous Writers and Poets
• Traditional Music and Instruments

Other Lessons

• Noun Cases
• Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns
• Gender
• Questions
• Nouns
• Adjectives
• Future Tense
• Personal pronouns
• How to Use Be

◀️ Adjective Agreement — Previous Lesson

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