aq + Adjective + sa
Comparative of Equality
The comparative of equality shows that two things are equal in a specific quality. The most common structure is aq + [adjective/adverb] + sa (as... as). To say two things are identical, use i/e njëjtë me (the same as).
How It Works
In Standard Albanian, the comparative of equality is formed in two primary ways depending on whether you are comparing a quality or an identity:
1. Comparing Qualities (aq... sa)
This structure is used with adjectives and adverbs.
- Aq: Placed before the adjective or adverb to indicate degree.
- Sa: A conjunction that introduces the person or thing being compared.
Example: Ai është aq i gjatë sa vëllai. (He is as tall as his brother.)
2. Comparing Identity (i/e njëjtë me)
When you want to say two things are 'the same' or 'identical', use the adjective i njëjtë.
- It must agree with the noun it modifies using linking articles.
- It is followed by the preposition me, which governs the Accusative case.
Example: Kjo makinë është e njëjtë me timen. (This car is the same as mine.)
3. Case Usage with 'sa'
In formal Standard Albanian, the noun or pronoun following sa usually stays in the Nominative case because it is technically the subject of a hidden (elliptical) verb. For example, sa unë (as I [am]), not sa mua.
Examples (5)
- Ky libër është aq i vjetër sa ai tjetri.
This book is as old as that other one.
Word by Word: This book is so (as) the old as that other.
Here 'aq' modifies the adjective 'i vjetër' and 'sa' introduces the second book.
- Ajo vrapon aq shpejt sa vëllai i saj.
She runs as fast as her brother.
Word by Word: She runs so (as) fast as brother the of her.
This shows equality using an adverb ('shpejt') instead of an adjective.
- Opinioni yt është i njëjtë me timin.
Your opinion is the same as mine.
Word by Word: Opinion the your is the same with mine.
Uses 'i njëjtë me' to show identity between two opinions.
- Ti je aq i fortë sa unë.
You are as strong as I (am).
Word by Word: You are so (as) the strong as I.
Note the use of the nominative 'unë' after 'sa' in standard speech.
- Këto lule janë po aq të bukura sa ato.
These flowers are just as beautiful as those.
Word by Word: These flowers are just so (as) the beautiful as those.
The particle 'po' is added before 'aq' for extra emphasis (just as...).
Common Mistakes
Using 'se' or 'sesa' instead of 'sa' for equality.
Ai është aq i mirë se unë.Ai është aq i mirë sa unë.'Se' and 'sesa' are only used for the comparative of superiority (more than). Equality always requires 'sa'.
Using 'sa' with 'i njëjtë' instead of 'me'.
Ky është i njëjtë sa ai.Ky është i njëjtë me atë.The adjective 'i njëjtë' (the same) must be followed by the preposition 'me' (with/as).
Failing to match the linking article for 'i njëjtë'.
Kjo ngjyrë është i njëjtë me atë.Kjo ngjyrë është e njëjtë me atë.Because 'ngjyrë' (color) is feminine, the linking article must change from 'i' to 'e'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To express equality in Albanian, you need to understand how adjectives agree with nouns using linking particles. You also need to be familiar with the particle 'sa' used in the 'aq... sa' construction and the preposition 'me' used with the adjective 'i njëjtë'.
- i / eAdjective Link Particles
The comparative of equality uses adjectives, which in Albanian require the correct linking particle (i, e, të, së) to agree with the noun.
Foundations - saInterrogative 'Sa'
The correlative pair 'aq... sa' uses the word 'sa', which is also used as an interrogative for quantity/degree.
Level 1 - mePreposition 'Me'
The alternative construction 'i/e njëjtë me' (the same as) requires the preposition 'me' to introduce the second term of comparison.
Foundations
Related Patterns
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Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice aq + Adjective + sa in Bubblegum
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