Comparing Things

Level 2Sounds Like komparativ; superlativ

In Serbian, adjectives change form directly to express comparisons: the comparative is created using suffixes like -ији, -ји, or -ши (e.g., нов → новији), while the superlative simply attaches the prefix нај- directly to the comparative form (e.g., најновији).

How It Works

Gradation (поређење придева) applies to descriptive adjectives and adverbs.

1. Comparative Suffixes

  • -ји (-ји, -ја, -је): The regular, primary suffix for monosyllabic adjectives. The -ј- causes consonant mutation (jotation) with the stem consonant: млад → млађи, брз → бржи, јак → јачи, скуп → скупљи, дуг → дужи. Suffixes like -ок and -ак drop before -ји: висок → виши, кратак → краћи.
  • -ији (-ији, -ија, -ије): The regular productive suffix for polysyllabic adjectives (e.g., паметан → паметнији, where fleeting а drops; топао → топлији; срећан → срећнији) and a limited group of monosyllabic adjectives (such as нов → новији, чист → чистији, стар → старији, слан → сланији).
  • -ши: Fossilized and strictly limited to three monosyllabic adjectives: леп → лепши, лак → лакши, and мек → мекши.
  • Irregular (Suppletive) Forms: A few very frequent adjectives have distinct stems in бољи, гори, већи, мањи:
    • добар → бољи (good → better)
    • лош / зао → гори (bad → worse)
    • велик(и) → већи (big → bigger)
    • мали → мањи (small → smaller)

2. Superlative Formation
Attach the prefix нај- directly to the front of the comparative form. It is always written as a single word: најбољи, највиши.
Spelling rule: When the comparative begins with ј, both letters are retained: јачи → најјачи, једноставнији → најједноставнији.

3. Comparing Adverbs
Adverbs of manner derived from adjectives form comparatives and superlatives identically to the neuter singular form of the adjective: брзо → брже → најбрже, добро → боље → најбоље, лако → лакше → најлакше.

4. Comparison Frames
Use него or од + генитив to introduce comparisons:

  • од + Genitive: Used with noun phrases and pronouns (e.g., виши од брата, бржи од мене).
  • него: A versatile conjunction used with nouns matching the case of the item compared (e.g., Марко је виши него Петар, више волим чај него кафу), personal pronouns in the nominative (бржи него ја), prepositional phrases (скупље него у граду), and clauses (бржи него што сам мислио).

5. The Absolute Comparative
A comparative can also soften a description without an explicit comparison partner: старији господин means 'an elderly gentleman' rather than 'an older man than someone else'.

Examples (5)

  1. Овај стан је већи од нашег старог стана.

    This apartment is bigger than our old apartment.

    Word by Word: This apartment is bigger from our old apartment.

    Uses the irregular comparative 'већи' followed by 'од + genitive' to compare two noun phrases.

  2. У продавници су јагоде скупље него на пијаци.

    In the store, strawberries are more expensive than at the green market.

    Word by Word: In store are strawberries more-expensive than on market.

    Because the comparison involves prepositional phrases ('на пијаци'), 'него' must be used rather than 'од'.

  3. Петар је решио најједноставнији задатак на тесту.

    Petar solved the simplest problem on the test.

    Word by Word: Petar is solved simplest task on test.

    Superlative formed by attaching 'нај-' to 'једноставнији'. Both 'ј' letters are preserved in spelling.

  4. Ово је најбољи филм који сам гледао ове године.

    This is the best movie I have watched this year.

    Word by Word: This is best movie which am watched this year.

    Demonstrates the irregular superlative 'најбољи' modifying a masculine noun.

  5. После дужег времена, поново смо се срели у граду.

    After a fairly long time, we met in the city again.

    Word by Word: After longer time, again are-we self met in city.

    Demonstrates the absolute comparative: 'дужег' attenuates duration ('a fairly long time') without a direct second referent.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping one 'j' when the comparative stem begins with 'j'.

    Ово је најачи човек у граду.
    Ово је најјачи човек у граду.

    When the prefix 'нај-' attaches to a word beginning with 'ј' (such as 'јачи', 'јефтинији', or 'јужнији'), both letters must be written: 'најјачи'.

  • Writing the superlative prefix separately or with a hyphen.

    Он је нај бољи ученик у разреду.
    Он је најбољи ученик у разреду.

    The superlative prefix 'нај-' is never separated by a space or hyphen; it must form a single word with the adjective.

  • Using the nominative instead of the genitive case after 'од'.

    Марко је виши од Никола.
    Марко је виши од Николе.

    The preposition 'од' requires the genitive case. 'Никола' has masculine grammatical gender with '-а' endings, making its genitive singular 'Николе'.

How It Connects

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

Comparing ThingsLevel 2

Learn This First

To form and use comparatives and superlatives, you need to know basic adjective forms in the singular nominative, how adjectives agree with nouns, and how predicative adjectives combine with the verb 'to be'.