Short and Long Adjective Forms

Level 4

The short form tells what kind, and the long form points to a known one.

How It Works

Masculine adjectives come in two forms.

FormAnswersExample
short: nov, star, velikKakav? (what kind)Kakav je auto? Nov.
long: novi, stari, velikiKoji? (which one)Koji auto? Onaj novi.

The famous bridge in Mostar is the Stari most: the long form points to one particular bridge. A star most would be just some old bridge.

In the feminine and neuter, the nominative forms are the same (nova, novo), but the other cases differ. Some adjectives only have the long form, such as those with -ski (gradski autobus) and ordinals.

In everyday speech the difference is often relaxed, and speakers use the short form in many places. The rule above describes the careful standard.

Examples (4)

  1. Kakav je stan? Velik.

    What is the flat like? Big.

    Short form answers kakav.

  2. Koji stan? Onaj veliki.

    Which flat? The big one.

    Long form after onaj.

  3. Stari most je u Mostaru.

    The Old Bridge is in Mostar.

    Long form names a particular bridge.

  4. Moj brat je mlad.

    My brother is young.

    Short form as a predicate.

How It Connects

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Short and Long Adjective FormsLevel 4

Learn This First

Adjectives have two forms.

Words in This Pattern

novstarvelikmlad