Adjectives: Comparatives

01

Short Adjectives: Adding Suffixes

For most short, simple adjectives, the comparative is formed by adding the suffix -szy or -ejszy to the stem of the word. The adjective must then be declined to match the gender, number, and case of the noun it describes.

• -szy: Used when the adjective stem ends in a single consonant.
• -ejszy: Used when the stem ends in a cluster of consonants (making it easier to pronounce).

Note that the stem often undergoes slight spelling changes or consonant shifts when these suffixes are added.

• Ten samochód jest szybszy.

  This car is faster.

• Dzisiaj wiatr jest zimniejszy.

  Today the wind is colder.

• Ona jest młodsza od swojej siostry.

  She is younger than her sister.

02

Irregular Comparatives

Some of the most common adjectives have irregular comparative forms that do not follow the standard suffix rules. These must be memorized individually, as the stem changes completely.

• dobry (good) becomes lepszy (better)
• zły (bad) becomes gorszy (worse)
• duży (big) becomes większy (bigger)
• mały (small) becomes mniejszy (smaller)

• Mój pomysł jest lepszy.

  My idea is better.

• Pogoda jest gorsza niż wczoraj.

  The weather is worse than yesterday.

03

Long Adjectives: Using 'Bardziej'

For longer adjectives (usually those with four or more syllables) or participles used as adjectives, you do not change the word itself. Instead, you place the word bardziej (more) before the adjective. This is similar to using "more" in English (e.g., "more interesting").

• Ten film jest bardziej interesujący.

  This movie is more interesting.

• Jesteśmy bardziej zmęczeni.

  We are more tired.

04

Forming the Superlative

Once you know the comparative form, creating the superlative ("the best", "the fastest") is very regular. You simply add the prefix naj- to the comparative form. This applies to regular, irregular, and long adjectives alike.

• Regular: nowszy (newer) becomes najnowszy (newest).
• Irregular: lepszy (better) becomes najlepszy (best).
• Long: bardziej interesujący (more interesting) becomes najbardziej interesujący (most interesting).

• To jest najnowszy model.

  This is the newest model.

• On jest moim najlepszym przyjacielem.

  He is my best friend.

05

Comparing Two Things: 'Niż' vs 'Od'

When comparing two nouns (X is bigger than Y), there are two ways to express "than":

1. Using niż: This is followed by the noun in the Nominative case (or the same case as the first noun). This is the most versatile method.

2. Using od: This must be followed by the noun in the Genitive case.

• Kawa jest lepsza niż herbata.

  Coffee is better than tea.

• Kawa jest lepsza od herbaty.

  Coffee is better than tea.