How to Use Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives in Hungarian

Understanding Adjectives in Hungarian

In Hungarian, adjectives describe qualities or states of nouns, similar to English. However, the way Hungarian forms comparative and superlative adjectives differs significantly from English. This article will guide English speakers through these forms to help you express comparisons clearly and correctly.

Forming the Comparative in Hungarian

The comparative form in Hungarian is created by adding the suffix -bb to the adjective stem. If the adjective ends with a vowel, the suffix -bb is added directly. For adjectives ending with a consonant, the suffix is also -bb, but sometimes a linking vowel -a- or -e- is inserted for easier pronunciation.

For example:

• nagy (big) → nagyobb (bigger)
• kicsi (small) → kisebb (smaller)
• szép (beautiful) → szebb (more beautiful)

Note that some adjectives have irregular comparative forms, which you will learn with practice.

Using the Comparative in Sentences

To express comparisons, Hungarian often uses the comparative adjective followed by the word mint (meaning "than") to compare two things.

Example sentences:

• Ez a ház nagyobb, mint az a ház. (This house is bigger than that house.)
• Ő okosabb, mint a testvére. (He/She is smarter than his/her sibling.)

Forming the Superlative in Hungarian

The superlative form is made by prefixing the adjective with leg- and adding the comparative suffix -bb. This means the superlative form looks like leg + adjective + bb.

For example:

• nagy → legnagyobb (the biggest)
• kicsi → legkisebb (the smallest)
• szép → legszebb (the most beautiful)

The superlative is used to express the highest degree of a quality among three or more items.

Using the Superlative in Sentences

When using the superlative, Hungarian often includes the definite article a or az (the) before the superlative adjective.

Example sentences:

• Ő az okosabb diák. (He/She is the smartest student.)
• Ez a legszebb virág. (This is the most beautiful flower.)

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms

Some Hungarian adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms that do not follow the standard pattern. For example:

• jó (good) → jobb (better) → legjobb (best)
• rossz (bad) → rosszabb (worse) → legrosszabb (worst)

It's important to memorize these irregular forms as they are commonly used.

Summary of Rules for Comparative and Superlative Forms

1. Add -bb to the adjective stem to form the comparative.
2. Use mint to compare two things.
3. Form the superlative by adding leg- before the adjective and -bb suffix.
4. Use the definite article a or az before the superlative adjective.
5. Memorize irregular forms like jó → jobb → legjobb.

Practice Examples