Language/Standard-arabic/Grammar/Comparative-and-superlative
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As a beginner in the Arabic language, you might think that adjectives are just words that describe nouns. However, adjectives in Arabic are so much more than that. In this lesson, we will learn about comparative and superlative adjectives in Arabic, which will help you to express comparisons more accurately and vividly.
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two or more nouns or pronouns. In Arabic, comparative adjectives are formed by adding the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) before the adjective or by adding the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) after the adjective. Here are two examples:
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Past tense conjugation & Question formation.
Standard Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
مَجْدُول | majdool | Taller |
أَكْثَر مَجْدُول | akthar majdool | Taller |
In the first example, "مَجْدُول" (majdool) means "tall". In the second example, "أَكْثَر مَجْدُول" (akthar majdool) means "taller". Notice how we added the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) before the adjective.
Another way to form a comparative adjective is by adding the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) after the adjective. Here is an example:
Standard Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
غَلِيْظ | ghaleeth | Thicker |
غَلِيْظ أَكْثَر | ghaleeth akthar | Thicker |
In the first example, "غَلِيْظ" (ghaleeth) means "thick". In the second example, "غَلِيْظ أَكْثَر" (ghaleeth akthar) means "thicker". Notice how we added the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) after the adjective.
Superlative adjectives are used to compare one noun or pronoun against all others in a group. In Arabic, superlative adjectives are formed by adding the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) before the adjective and the word "مِنْ" (min) after the noun. Here is an example:
Standard Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
الْمَطْعَمُ الْأَفْضَلُ | al-maṭʿamu al-ʾafḍalu | The Best Restaurant |
الْمَطْعَمُ الْأَفْضَلُ مِنْهُمْ | al-maṭʿamu al-ʾafḍalu minhum | The Best Restaurant of Them |
In the first example, "الْمَطْعَمُ الْأَفْضَلُ" (al-maṭʿamu al-ʾafḍalu) means "the best restaurant". In the second example, "الْمَطْعَمُ الْأَفْضَلُ مِنْهُمْ" (al-maṭʿamu al-ʾafḍalu minhum) means "the best restaurant of them". Notice how we added the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) before the adjective and the word "مِنْ" (min) after the noun.
It is important to note that comparative and superlative adjectives in Arabic also have feminine and plural forms. The feminine form is created by adding the suffix "-ة" (-ah) to the adjective, while the plural form is created by adding the suffix "-ون" (-oon) to the adjective.
For example, the feminine form of "كَبِير" (kabir), meaning "big", is "كَبِيرَة" (kabirah), while the plural form is "كِبَار" (kibaar).
In summary, comparative and superlative adjectives in Arabic are powerful tools for expressing comparisons. By adding the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) before or after an adjective, we can create comparative adjectives. By adding the word "أَكْثَر" (akthar) before an adjective and "مِنْ" (min) after a noun, we can create superlative adjectives. Don't forget to take into account the feminine and plural forms of adjectives in Arabic.
Good luck with your studies!
Practice
- Form the comparative and superlative of the following adjectives:
- جَمِيل (jameel) - Beautiful
- قَوِيّ (qawiyy) - Strong
- كَثِيْف (kathif) - Dense
- صَغِير (saghir) - Small
- عَظِيْم (ʿaẓīm) - Great
Sources
Other Lessons
- How to Use Be
- Plurals
- Third conditional and mixed conditionals
- Coordination words
- Adjectives
- THE CASES OR DECLENSION OF NOUNS (Subjet, Direct and Indirec objects)
- Future Tense
- THE IMPERATIVE
- Conditional Mood
- Arabic vowels
◀️ Adjective agreement and placement — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Personal pronouns ▶️ |