Better, Worse, Bigger, Smaller
Learn five sets: bonus, malus, magnus, parvus and multus.
How It Works
| Plain | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| bonus (good) | melior, melius (better) | optimus (best) |
| malus (bad) | peior, peius (worse) | pessimus (worst) |
| magnus (big) | maior, maius (bigger) | maximus (biggest) |
| parvus (small) | minor, minus (smaller) | minimus (smallest) |
| multus (much) | plus (more) | plurimus (most) |
The comparatives decline like altior: the genitive of melior is melioris, and the genitive of maior is maioris.
In the singular, plus is a neuter noun, so it takes the genitive: plus pecuniae is more money. In the plural, the form is plures.
Optimus and maximus also appear in titles, such as Iuppiter Optimus Maximus, the Best and Greatest.
Examples (5)
- Hic liber melior est quam ille.
This book is better than that one.
Melior is the comparative of bonus.
- Optimus magister pueros docet.
The best teacher teaches the boys.
Optimus is the superlative of bonus.
- Frater minor sororem maiorem amat.
The younger brother loves his older sister.
Minor and maiorem are comparatives, with a different case each.
- Maior autem horum est caritas.
But the greatest of these is love.
From 1 Corinthians 13:13. Maior is the comparative of magnus.
- Melior est dies una in atriis tuis.
One day in your courts is better.
From Psalm 83:11. Melior is the comparative of bonus.
Common Mistakes
Building a regular comparative from bonus.
Hic liber bonior est.Hic liber melior est.Bonus has its own comparative, melior. The regular ending -ior is not added to it.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The irregular forms differ from the regular comparison.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Better, Worse, Bigger, Smaller in Bubblegum
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