Language/Tswana/Grammar/Comparative-and-Superlative-Adjectives
Introduction
In this lesson, we will learn how to form comparative and superlative adjectives in Tswana. Adjectives are used to describe nouns, and comparative and superlative adjectives are used to compare and contrast nouns. This is an essential part of Tswana grammar, which will help you express yourself more precisely and effectively.
Forming Comparative Adjectives
To form the comparative form of an adjective in Tswana, you need to add the suffix "-eng" to the adjective. This suffix means "more" in English. Note that this suffix comes after the adjective stem, but before any other suffixes. Let's take a look at some examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| tlhokomelong | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlong/ | long |
| tlhokomelongeng | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlongɛŋ/ | longer |
As you can see, adding the "-eng" suffix changes the meaning of the adjective from "long" to "longer." Here's another example:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| tlhokomelele | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlɛlɛ/ | beautiful |
| tlhokomeleleeng | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlɛlɛɛŋ/ | more beautiful |
In this example, adding the "-eng" suffix changes the meaning of the adjective from "beautiful" to "more beautiful."
Forming Superlative Adjectives
To form the superlative form of an adjective in Tswana, you need to add the suffix "-ang" to the adjective. This suffix means "most" in English. Note that this suffix comes after the adjective stem, but before any other suffixes. Let's take a look at some examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| tlhokomelong | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlong/ | long |
| tlhokomelongang | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlongaŋ/ | longest |
Adding the "-ang" suffix to the adjective "tlhokomelong" changes its meaning from "long" to "longest." Here's another example:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| tlhokomelele | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlɛlɛ/ | beautiful |
| tlhokomeleleang | /ɬʊkʰɔmɛlɛlɛaŋ/ | most beautiful |
Adding the "-ang" suffix to the adjective "tlhokomelele" changes its meaning from "beautiful" to "most beautiful."
Irregular Adjectives
Like in many languages, there are some irregular adjectives in Tswana that do not follow the regular comparative and superlative forms. Here are some examples:
- "Leina" (big)
- Comparative form: nnye (bigger)
- Superlative form: thara (biggest)
- "Ntshwenyegang" (fast)
- Comparative form: nngwe (faster)
- Superlative form: toro (fastest)
- "Ntshwarele" (good)
- Comparative form: leele (better)
- Superlative form: lotlhe (best)
- "Leina" (small)
- Comparative form: dona (smaller)
- Superlative form: matlhogo (smallest)
Note that irregular adjectives in Tswana must be memorized.
Practice
Now that we have learned how to form comparative and superlative adjectives in Tswana, let's practice by taking a look at some sentences and trying to form the comparative and superlative forms of the adjectives.
- John ke tlhokomelong. (John is long.)
- Comparative form: John ke tlhokomelongeng. (John is longer.)
- Superlative form: John ke tlhokomelongang. (John is the longest.)
- Ke tlhokometseng ka bophara. (I am taller than my brother.)
- Comparative form: Ke tlhokometsengeng ka bophara. (I am taller than my brother.)
- Superlative form: Ke tlhokometsengang ka bophara. (I am the tallest in my family.)
- Bogosi bo bo ne bo tlhokomelong. (The palace was long ago.)
- Comparative form: Bogosi bo bo ne bo tlhokomelongeng. (The palace was longer before.)
- Superlative form: Bogosi bo bo ne bo tlhokomelongang. (The palace was the longest in the past.)
Conclusion
In Tswana, comparative and superlative adjectives are formed by adding the suffixes "-eng" and "-ang" to the adjective stem, respectively. Irregular adjectives must be memorized. Being able to form these forms is essential in order to express yourself more precisely and effectively. Congratulations on completing this lesson!