Language/Croatian/Grammar/Comparative-and-Superlative-Adjectives

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

Adjectives and adverbs are essential parts of speech in Croatian. They are used to describe and modify nouns and verbs to add more meaning and detail to sentences. In this lesson, we will focus on comparative and superlative adjectives, which are used to compare and contrast different things, people, or actions.

In Croatian, there are two types of comparative and superlative adjectives: the "short" forms and the "long" forms. The short forms are used for adjectives that have one or two syllables, while the long forms are used for adjectives with three or more syllables. Let's take a closer look at how to form and use each of these adjectives.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Croatian Syntax and Style & Plurals.

Short Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Short comparative adjectives are formed by adding -iji to the end of the base form of an adjective. For example:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
visok	VEES-ohk	tall
viši	VEE-shee	taller
najviši	NYE-VEE-shee	tallest

As you can see, the comparative form of "visok" (tall) is "viši" (taller), and the superlative form is "najviši" (tallest).

Note that when forming comparative adjectives, the final consonant of the base form may change. For example:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
dobar	DOH-bahr	good
bolji	BOH-lyee	better
najbolji	NYE-BOH-lyee	best

In this example, the final -r of "dobar" (good) changes to -l in the comparative form "bolji" (better), while the superlative form "najbolji" (best) retains the -l.

To form short superlative adjectives, we add the prefix naj- to the comparative form. For example:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
brz	brrz	fast
brži	brr-zhee	faster
najbrži	nye-brr-zhee	fastest

The same rule applies when forming superlative adverbs:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
brzo	brr-zoh	quickly
brže	brr-zheh	more quickly
najbrže	nye-brr-zheh	most quickly

In these examples, we see that the comparative form of "brz" (fast) is "brži" (faster), while the superlative form is "najbrži" (fastest). For the adverb "brzo" (quickly), the comparative form is "brže" (more quickly), and the superlative form is "najbrže" (most quickly).

It's important to note that when using short comparative and superlative adjectives, we must also adjust the endings of the noun they modify. This is known as "agreement" in grammar. For example:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
debel	DEH-bel	thick
deblji	DEH-blyee	thicker
najdeblji	nye-DEH-blyee	thickest

In this example, the adjective "debel" (thick) changes to "deblji" (thicker) in its comparative form, while the appropriate noun ending in agreement would be -i. The superlative form would be "najdeblji" (thickest). The same agreement rule applies to adverbs.

Long Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Long comparative and superlative adjectives are formed by adding the words "više" (more) or "najviše" (most) before the base form of the adjective. For example:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
inteligentan	een-teh-LEE-gehn-tahn	intelligent
više inteligentan	VEE-sheh een-teh-LEE-gehn-tahn	more intelligent
najviše inteligentan	NYE-vee-sheh een-teh-LEE-gehn-tahn	most intelligent

As you can see, the long comparative form of "inteligentan" (intelligent) is "više inteligentan" (more intelligent), and the superlative form is "najviše inteligentan" (most intelligent).

Again, it's important to note that when using the long form of comparative and superlative adjectives, we must adjust the endings of the noun in agreement. For example:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
sretan	SREH-tahn	happy
više sretan	VEE-sheh SREH-tahn	happier
najviše sretan	NYE-vee-sheh SREH-tahn	happiest

In this example, the adjective "sretan" (happy) changes to "više sretan" (happier) in its comparative form, while the appropriate noun ending in agreement would be -i. The superlative form would be "najviše sretan" (happiest). The same rule applies to adverbs.

Comparing Unequal Quantities

When comparing unequal quantities in Croatian, we use the word "od" (than) to introduce the second item being compared. For example:

• Ivan je viši od Marka. (Ivan is taller than Mark.)
• Ova knjiga je deblja od one. (This book is thicker than that one.)
• Ta pjesma je lakša za pjevanje od ove. (That song is easier to sing than this one.)

Note that in each of these examples, we use the comparative form of the adjective to compare the two items, but we also use the word "od" to introduce the second item in the comparison. This is an important distinction to keep in mind when making comparisons in Croatian.

Practice

Let's practice forming comparative and superlative adjectives in Croatian. In each of the following examples, choose the appropriate form of the adjective to complete the sentence.

1. Ova knjiga je (zanimljiv) od one. 2. Taj film je (dosadan) od ovog. 3. On je (mali) od svih u razredu. 4. Ova torta je (ukusn) od one. 5. Anina kuća je (velik) od Markove.

Answers: 1. zanimljivija 2. dosadniji 3. najmanji 4. ukusnija 5. veća

Conclusion

In Croatian, comparative and superlative adjectives are important tools for describing and comparing different items, people, or actions. Understanding how to form and use each type of adjective is essential for developing strong language skills and effective communication. With consistent practice, you will become more comfortable using these adjectives in conversations and writing, and you will be able to express yourself more clearly and effectively in Croatian.

Having concluded this lesson, consider checking out these related pages: Conditional Mood & Nouns: Gender and Number.

Table of Contents - Croatian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense of Regular Verbs
• Present Tense of Irregular Verbs

  ---

Daily Activities

• Common Activities
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives: Gender and Number
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Croatian Culture and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

Other Lessons

• Croatian Idiomatic Expressions
• Future Tense
• Present Tense of Irregular Verbs
• Advanced Noun and Adjective Declension
• How to Use Have
• Adjectives: Gender and Number
• Conditional Mood
• Questions
• Croatian Syntax and Style

Sources

• Comparison of adjectives in Croatian | coLanguage