Comparison of Adjectives (Komparacija prideva) in Serbian
Comparison of Adjectives (Komparacija prideva: pozitiv, komparativ, superlativ)
Adjectives form 3 degrees: Pozitiv (lep), Komparativ formed with suffixes -iji, -ji (with jotation), or -ši (lepši), and Superlativ formed by prefixing naj- (najlepši).
In Serbian grammar, qualitative adjectives inflect across three *Degrees of Comparison (Poređenje / Komparacija prideva): Positive (Pozitiv), Comparative (Komparativ), and Superlative (Superlativ)*:
*1. The Comparative (Komparativ): Formed by attaching one of three suffixes to the adjectival stem: - Suffix -iji / -ija / -ije (The Most Productive Group): nov → noviji (newer), star → stariji (older), topao → topliji, zanimljiv → zanimljiviji. - Suffix -ji (Triggers Jotation / Jotovanje): mlad + ji → mlađi (younger), tih + ji → tiši (quieter), brz + ji → brži (faster), drag + ji → draži, jak + ji → jači (stronger). - Suffix -ši (Exactly 3 Monosyllabic Adjectives): lep → lepši (more beautiful), lak → lakši (easier/lighter), mek → mekši (softer). - Irregular / Suppletive Comparatives: dobar → bolji (good → better), zao/loš → gori (bad → worse), veliki → veći (big → bigger), mali → manji* (small → smaller).
*2. The Superlative (Superlativ): Invariably and productively formed by adding the prefix naj- directly to the comparative form as a single merged word: - najbolji (the best), najveći (the biggest), najlepši (the most beautiful), najstariji (the oldest). - When comparative begins with j-, the double jj is preserved: najjači (the strongest), najjasniji (the clearest), najjužniji* (the southernmost).
Examples
Ova nova biblioteka u centru grada je znatno modernija i veća od stare.
This new library in the city center is considerably more modern and larger than the old one.
Moj mlađi brat je najbolji i najmarljiviji student na celom fakultetu.
My younger brother is the best and most diligent student in the entire faculty.
Beograd je najveći i najznačajniji kulturni i privredni centar u Srbiji.
Belgrade is the largest and most significant cultural and economic center in Serbia.
Ovaj zadatak iz lingvistike je mnogo lakši nego što smo u početku mislili.
This task in linguistics is much easier than we initially thought.
Related terms
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