Language/Hungarian/Grammar/Comparisons-and-superlatives

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Hungarian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Comparisons and superlatives

In our journey through the Hungarian language, we come across a fascinating aspect of grammar: comparatives and superlatives. Understanding how to express differences and extremes can enhance your conversational skills, allowing you to describe not just objects and people, but also their qualities and attributes more vividly. This lesson will empower you to compare things in a way that feels natural and intuitive, reflecting the richness of the Hungarian language.

In this lesson, we will cover the following key areas:

The Importance of Comparisons and Superlatives

Comparisons and superlatives are essential in any language as they help us articulate differences and similarities between objects, people, and ideas. In Hungarian, these grammatical forms allow us to express not just a basic quality, but also the degree to which something possesses that quality. For example, if we want to say that one city is larger than another, or that a particular dish is the best among many, we use comparative and superlative forms. This is crucial for effective communication, especially when you want to share opinions or preferences.

Structure of Comparatives and Superlatives in Hungarian

Hungarian adjectives can be modified to form comparatives and superlatives. The basic rule is to add specific suffixes to the adjective. Here’s a brief overview:

Comparative Form: In Hungarian, comparatives are typically formed by adding the suffix "-bb" or "-ább" to the base adjective. The choice between the two depends on vowel harmony and the structure of the adjective.

Superlative Form: Superlatives are formed by adding the prefix "leg-" to the base form of the adjective, followed by the basic adjective form itself.

Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics of these forms with specific examples.

Comparatives

Formation of Comparatives

To form comparatives in Hungarian, we generally follow these patterns:

For one-syllable adjectives, we add "-bb".

For adjectives with two syllables or more, we often add "-ább".

Examples of Comparatives

Here are some examples illustrating how to form comparatives:

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
nagy	nɒɟ	big → nagyobb	bigger
kicsi	kiʧi	small → kisebb	smaller
szép	seːp	beautiful → szebb	more beautiful
gyors	jorʃ	fast → gyorsabb	faster
nehéz	nɛheːz	heavy → nehezebb	heavier
okos	okoʃ	smart → okosabb	smarter
drága	draːɡɒ	expensive → drágább	more expensive
egyszerű	ɛɡjʃɛrɨ	simple → egyszerűbb	simpler
színes	siːnɛʃ	colorful → színesebb	more colorful
jó	joː	good → jobb	better

Using Comparatives in Sentences

You can use comparatives to make comparisons in sentences. Here are a few examples:

1. A macska nagyobb, mint a kutya.

(The cat is bigger than the dog.)

2. Ez a könyv érdekesebb, mint az előző.

(This book is more interesting than the previous one.)

3. A tavasz szebb, mint a tél.

(Spring is more beautiful than winter.)

4. A kávé drágább, mint a tea.

(The coffee is more expensive than the tea.)

5. A kocsi gyorsabb, mint a bicikli.

(The car is faster than the bicycle.)

Superlatives

Formation of Superlatives

Superlatives are formed by adding the prefix "leg-" to the base adjective. The structure remains consistent regardless of the adjective's length.

Examples of Superlatives

Here are some examples of superlatives:

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
legnagyobb	lɛɡnɒɟobb	the biggest
legkisebb	lɛɡkiʧɛbb	the smallest
legszebb	lɛɡsɛbb	the most beautiful
leggyorsabb	lɛɡjorʃabb	the fastest
legnehezebb	lɛɡnɛheːzɛbb	the heaviest
legokosabb	lɛɡokoʃabb	the smartest
legdrágább	lɛɡdraːɡaːbb	the most expensive
legegyszerűbb	lɛɡɛɟɛrɨbb	the simplest
legszínesebb	lɛɡsiːnɛʃɛbb	the most colorful
legjobb	lɛɡjoːbb	the best

Using Superlatives in Sentences

Superlatives enable us to express the highest degree of a quality. Here are some examples:

1. Ez a macska a legnagyobb a házban.

(This cat is the biggest in the house.)

2. A könyv a legérdekesebb, amit valaha olvastam.

(The book is the most interesting I have ever read.)

3. Ő a legszebb lány az iskolában.

(She is the most beautiful girl in the school.)

4. Ez a kávé a legdrágább a boltban.

(This coffee is the most expensive in the shop.)

5. A kocsi a leggyorsabb az úton.

(The car is the fastest on the road.)

Practice Exercises

Now that we've covered the theory, it's time for you to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce your understanding of comparatives and superlatives in Hungarian.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct comparative or superlative form of the adjective in parentheses.

1. A nap a __________ (fényes) az égen.

2. Ez a film __________ (érdekes) a múlt heti.

3. A kutya __________ (nagy) a macskánál.

4. A tavasz __________ (szép) a nyárnál.

5. Az almák __________ (édes) a körténél.

Exercise 2: Match the Adjective with Its Comparative and Superlative

Match the Hungarian adjective with its comparative and superlative form.

1. kicsi

2. szép

3. gyors

4. okos

5. drága

a. legokosabb

b. legkisebb

c. leggyorsabb

d. legszebb

e. legdrágább

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using comparatives or superlatives.

1. A kutya nagy. A macska még nagyobb.

2. A film jó. A könyv még jobb.

3. A nyár szép. A tavasz még szebb.

Exercise 4: Create Your Own Sentences

Create five sentences using both comparative and superlative forms. Be creative!

Exercise 5: Translate to Hungarian

Translate the following sentences into Hungarian using the correct forms.

1. My sister is taller than I am.

2. This restaurant is the best in the city.

3. January is colder than April.

Exercise 6: True or False

Determine if the following statements are true or false.

1. "szebbb" is the comparative form of "szép".

2. "legkisebb" is the superlative form of "kicsi".

3. "gyors" is the superlative form of "gyorsabb".

Exercise 7: Listening Practice

Listen to your teacher read the following sentences and write down the comparative or superlative form used.

1. A legnagyobb város Budapest.

2. Ez a legszebb nap az évben.

Exercise 8: Group Activity

In small groups, discuss your favorite books or movies using comparatives and superlatives. Use sentences like: "This book is more interesting than that one."

Exercise 9: Fill in the Chart

Create a chart with the following adjectives, their comparative, and superlative forms.

| Hungarian Adjective | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |

|---|---|---|

| jó | | |

| nagy | | |

| szép | | |

| drága | | |

| kicsi | | |

Exercise 10: Reflection

Write a short paragraph reflecting on what you learned about comparatives and superlatives in this lesson. How can you apply this knowledge in your daily conversations?

Solutions to Exercises

Here are the solutions to the exercises for your reference.

Solutions to Exercise 1

1. legfényesebb

2. érdekesebb

3. nagyobb

4. szebb

5. édesebb

Solutions to Exercise 2

1-b, 2-d, 3-c, 4-a, 5-e

Solutions to Exercise 3

1. A kutya nagyobb, mint a macska.

2. A film jobb, mint a könyv.

3. A nyár szebb, mint a tavasz.

Solutions to Exercise 4

(Students' answers will vary.)

Solutions to Exercise 5

1. A nővérem magasabb, mint én.

2. Ez az étterem a legjobb a városban.

3. Január hidegebb, mint április.

Solutions to Exercise 6

1. True

2. True

3. False

Solutions to Exercise 7

(Teacher's answers will vary.)

Solutions to Exercise 8

(Group discussions will vary.)

Solutions to Exercise 9

| Hungarian Adjective | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |

|---|---|---|

| jó | jobb | legjobb |

| nagy | nagyobb | legnagyobb |

| szép | szebb | legszebb |

| drága | drágább | legdrágább |

| kicsi | kisebb | legkisebb |

Solutions to Exercise 10

(Students' reflections will vary.)

As we wrap up this lesson, remember that using comparatives and superlatives will greatly enrich your conversations in Hungarian. With practice and application, you'll find these forms becoming second nature in your speech. Keep exploring, keep practicing, and soon you'll be able to express your thoughts and opinions with clarity and confidence.

Table of Contents - Hungarian Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Greetings and Introductions

Pronouns and Verb Conjugation

Numbers and Time

Questions and Negation

Family and Relationships

Adjectives and Adverbs

Food and Dining

Prepositions and Location

Travel and Transportation

Hungarian Customs and Traditions

Possessive Pronouns and Plurals

Hobbies and Leisure Activities

Hungarian History and Geography

Sources

Other Lessons

Contributors

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