Adjective Stem Alternations

Level 4

When adding the comparative suffix -bb or the adverbial suffix -n/-on/-an/-en to certain adjectives, the stem of the adjective changes. These changes are obligatory for correct spelling and pronunciation.

How It Works

Hungarian adjectives undergo specific stem changes when attaching inflectional suffixes like the comparative -bb or adverbial -n/-on/-an/-en. These changes do not alter the meaning but are essential for correct grammar.

1. Consonant-Ending Adjectives and Linking Vowels (Regular)
Most adjectives ending in a consonant require a linking vowel before suffixes like -bb or -n (see Point 8 for exceptions), determined by vowel harmony. For the comparative -bb, the linking vowel is typically -a- or -e- (with the notable exception of nagy, which takes -o- to become nagyobb, as detailed in Point 7). For the adverbial suffix, the linking vowel is typically -o-, -a-, or -e-. Crucially, -ö- is NEVER used as a linking vowel for adverbs. For example, adjectives ending in -s, -os, -es, or -ös always take the linking vowel -a- or -e- (e.g., okos → okosan, erős → erősen).

  • magas (tall) → magasabb, magasan
  • gazdag (rich) → gazdagabb, gazdagon
  • hideg (cold) → hidegebb, hidegen

2. Regular Vowel-Ending Adjectives
Most adjectives ending in vowels other than short -a or -e (such as -i, -ó, -ő, -ú, -ű) simply attach -bb directly. For adverbs, some attach -n directly without a linking vowel (olcsó → olcsón), while others take -an/-en (kiváló → kiválóan). See Point 6 for a few common exceptions ending in -ú/-ű.

  • kiváló (excellent) → kiválóbb, kiválóan
  • olcsó (cheap) → olcsóbb, olcsón
  • szomorú (sad) → szomorúbb, szomorúan

3. Final Vowel Lengthening (Regular)
Applies to all adjectives ending in a short -a or -e. The vowel lengthens to -á or -é before both comparative and adverbial suffixes.

  • drága (expensive) → drágább, drágán
  • fekete (black) → feketébb, feketén

4. Stem Vowel Shortening (Lexicalized)
A specific group of adjectives with a long vowel in the final syllable shortens that vowel for the comparative. For adverbs, this shortening is inconsistent: some shorten (nehéz → nehezen), while others do not (szép → szépen).

  • nehéz (heavy/difficult) → nehezebb, nehezen
  • kevés (few/little) → kevesebb, kevesen
  • szép (beautiful) → szebb (the stem irregularly changes to sze-, dropping the 'p' and shortening the vowel), szépen

5. Syncopation / Vowel Dropping (Lexicalized)
Certain adjectives ending in a consonant preceded by a short vowel drop that short vowel.

  • bátor (brave) → bátrabb, bátran
  • magas (tall) is regular (magasabb), but bátor drops the 'o'.

6. Final Vowel Deletion (Lexicalized)
A very small, closed class of base adjectives ending in long -ú/-ű drop the final vowel entirely. (Note: Most derived adjectives ending in -ú/-ű keep their vowel).

  • hosszú (long) → hosszabb, hosszan
  • lassú (slow) → lassabb, lassan
  • könnyű (easy/light) → könnyebb, könnyen

7. Irregularities and Suppletion
Some of the most common adjectives have irregular forms or completely change their stem (suppletion).

  • nagy (big) takes an irregular linking vowel: nagyobb, nagyon
  • jó (good) shortens and assimilates: jobb (jól)
  • kisebb serves as the comparative form for both kis and kicsi (small)
  • sok (many/much) undergoes true suppletion: több, sokan

8. Other Adverbial Suffixes (-ul/-ül and -lag/-leg)
While -n/-an/-en/-on is the most common adverbial suffix, others are required for specific adjectives. The suffix -ul/-ül is mandatory for adjectives ending in -tlan/-tlen (e.g., hibátlan → hibátlanul) and is used for some common adjectives (rossz → rosszul, remek → remekül, vad → vadul). The suffix -lag/-leg is commonly used for adjectives ending in -i or -ű (e.g., eredeti → eredetileg, valószínű → valószínűleg).

Note: The superlative degree uses the exact same altered stem as the comparative, simply adding the prefix leg- (e.g., legjobb, legnehezebb).

Examples (6)

  1. Ez a táska sokkal nehezebb, mint a másik.

    This bag is much heavier than the other one.

    Word by Word: This the bag much heavier, than the other.

    Demonstrates stem vowel shortening: nehéz → nehezebb.

  2. A katonák bátran harcoltak.

    The soldiers fought bravely.

    Word by Word: The soldiers bravely fought.

    Demonstrates syncopation (vowel dropping) before an adverbial suffix: bátor → bátran.

  3. A te autód jobb és nagyobb, mint az enyém.

    Your car is better and bigger than mine.

    Word by Word: The your car-your better and bigger, than the mine.

    Demonstrates irregular stems: jó → jobb (shortening/assimilation); nagy → nagyobb (irregular linking vowel).

  4. Ez a könyv sokkal drágább.

    This book is much more expensive.

    Word by Word: This the book much more-expensive.

    Demonstrates final vowel lengthening: drága → drágább.

  5. A diákok hibátlanul írták meg a tesztet.

    The students wrote the test flawlessly.

    Word by Word: The students flawlessly wrote meg the test.

    Demonstrates the mandatory -ul/-ül adverbial suffix for adjectives ending in -tlan/-tlen: hibátlan → hibátlanul.

  6. A magyar nyelv nem könnyebb, mint az angol.

    The Hungarian language is not easier than English.

    Word by Word: The Hungarian language not easier, than the English.

    Demonstrates final vowel deletion: könnyű → könnyebb.

Common Mistakes

  • Failing to shorten or drop vowels in lexicalized stems.

    Ez a doboz nehézebb.
    Ez a doboz nehezebb.

    Learners often over-regularize and forget that words like 'nehéz' must shorten their vowel to 'nehezebb'.

  • Applying regular linking vowels to irregular stems.

    Az én házam nagyabb.
    Az én házam nagyobb.

    Highly frequent adjectives like 'nagy' take an irregular linking vowel ('nagyobb', not 'nagyabb').

  • Forgetting final vowel lengthening.

    Ez az autó drágabb.
    Ez az autó drágább.

    Adjectives ending in short '-a' or '-e' must lengthen to '-á' or '-é' before the comparative suffix.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Adjective Stem AlternationsLevel 4

Learn This First

To understand adjective stem alternations, you must first know how to form comparatives and adverbs, as these suffixes trigger the changes. Additionally, familiarity with general stem-internal changes like vowel shortening provides the necessary phonological background.