Difference between revisions of "Language/Lingala/Grammar/Comparative-and-Superlative"
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* [[Language/Lingala/Grammar/Time-adverbs|Time adverbs]] | * [[Language/Lingala/Grammar/Time-adverbs|Time adverbs]] | ||
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==Sources== | |||
* [https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/Lingala/Grammar Lingala Grammar] | |||
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Revision as of 21:59, 2 April 2023
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.
ExceptionsIt 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:
Some other adjectives that follow irregular rules include "yéle" (small, little), "mobali" (strong), and "mateya" (mad). PracticeTake 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!
Other Lessons
Sources
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