Superlative ka-...-an

Choosing the Highest Degree

Level 2

A superlative identifies an extreme within a comparison group, which can be stated or understood.

How It Works

Add ka- and -an to an attested adjective base: dakkel → kadakkelan, bassit → kabassitan, and pintas → kapintasan. The descriptive na- of napintas is absent from its superlative. A location or the conversation can establish the comparison group.

A useful identifying frame places a marked participant before ti and the superlative. The lessons also attest predicate-first superlatives; the identifying frame is not obligatory. These forms have no gender endings or person agreement. Contrast napinpintas ‘prettier’ with kapintasan ‘prettiest’: greater degree against a standard differs from the extreme within a group.

A following activity can specify the skill being ranked. In current learner spelling, use kalaingan nga agluto, with nga before vowel-initial agluto. Other words beginning with ka- and ending in -an require their own lexical analysis.

Examples (3)

  1. Ti balay ni Elena ti kadakkelan ditoy.

    Elena’s house is the biggest here.

    The identifying frame names a house and establishes a local comparison group.

  2. Daytoy ti kabassitan a kahon.

    This is the smallest box.

    Bassit supplies the property, so its extreme means smallest.

  3. Ni Mila ti kalaingan nga agluto ditoy.

    Mila is the best cook here.

    The linked activity specifies the skill being ranked; nga precedes vowel-initial agluto.