-ш-/-іш-

Suffixal Comparative

Level 2Sounds Like viŝij stupínʹ -š-/-íš

The suffixal comparative is the most natural way to say 'faster,' 'stronger,' or 'colder' in Ukrainian. It uses suffixes like -іш- or -ш- instead of adding a separate word like 'more'.

How It Works

Ukrainian prefers synthetic (suffixal) forms for comparison in everyday speech. There are two main suffixes used:

1. Suffix -іш- (Productive): This is the default suffix for most adjectives. It is added to the stem, and the stress often shifts to the suffix (e.g., нови́й → нові́ший).

  • теплий (warm) → тепл-іш-ий (warmer)
  • сильний (strong) → сильн-іш-ий (stronger)

2. Suffix -ш- (Restricted): Used with a specific group of common adjectives. This often involves stem changes:

  • Dropping Suffixes: Stems ending in -к-, -ок-, -ек- usually drop these before adding -ш-. For example, короткий (short) becomes коротший.
  • Consonant Mutations: When -ш- meets certain stem consonants, they fuse: г, з, ж + ш → жч (дорогий → дорожчий) and с + ш → щ (високий → вищий).
  • Exceptions: The words легкий (light) and довгий (long) do not mutate: легший, довший.

3. Irregular (Suppletive) Forms: Some of the most common adjectives change their entire stem. You should become confident with these four:

  • добрий (good) → кращий (better)
  • поганий (bad) → гірший (worse)
  • великий (big) → більший (bigger)
  • малий (small) → менший (smaller)

The analytic form with більш is usually reserved for technical or very long words.

Examples (5)

  1. Сьогодні вітер сильніший, ніж учора.

    Today the wind is stronger than yesterday.

    Word by Word: Today wind stronger, than yesterday.

    Uses the productive suffix -іш- added to the stem 'сильн-'.

  2. Ця книжка цікавіша за попередню.

    This book is more interesting than the previous one.

    Word by Word: This book more-interesting than previous.

    The feminine form 'цікавіша' agrees with the feminine noun 'книжка'.

  3. Мій старший брат живе у Львові.

    My older brother lives in Lviv.

    Word by Word: My older brother lives in Lviv.

    'Старший' is the comparative of 'старий' (old), using the -ш- suffix.

  4. Цей будинок вищий за той.

    This building is taller than that one.

    Word by Word: This building taller than that.

    Demonstrates the mutation of 'с' to 'щ' (високий → вищий).

  5. Нова дорога значно коротша.

    The new road is significantly shorter.

    Word by Word: New road significantly shorter.

    Demonstrates dropping the suffix -к- (короткий → коротша).

Common Mistakes

  • Using a 'double comparative' by combining 'більш' with the suffix.

    Він більш сильніший.
    Він сильніший.

    You must choose either the suffixal form (сильніший) or the analytic form with більш, but never both at once.

  • Applying mutation rules to 'легкий' or 'довгий'.

    Цей рюкзак лежчий.
    Цей рюкзак легший.

    The adjectives 'легкий' (easy/light) and 'довгий' (long) are exceptions; they do not change the stem consonant to 'жч' before the suffix -ш-.

  • Forgetting to agree the comparative adjective with the noun's gender.

    Ця машина новіший.
    Ця машина новіша.

    Comparative adjectives are still adjectives and must follow gender agreement rules (-ий, -а, -е, -і) to match the noun.

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-ш-/-іш-Level 2Suffixal Comparative

Learn This First

To form and use suffixal comparatives, you must first understand the basic system of noun genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter) because the comparative adjective endings (-ший, -ша, -ше) must agree with the noun they describe.

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