How to Use Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives in Latvian

Understanding Adjectives in Latvian

In Latvian, adjectives agree with the nouns they describe in gender, number, and case. Like in English, adjectives can express qualities in different degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative. This article focuses on how to form and use the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives in Latvian.

Forming the Comparative Degree in Latvian

The comparative degree in Latvian is used to compare two things, similar to English. To form the comparative, most Latvian adjectives add the suffix -āks (masculine) or -āka (feminine) to the adjective stem.

For example:

Note that the ending changes to agree with the gender of the noun it modifies.

Examples in Sentences

- Šis māja ir lielāka nekā tā. (This house is bigger than that one.)
- Viņš ir ātrāks skrējējs. (He is a faster runner.)

Forming the Superlative Degree in Latvian

The superlative degree expresses the highest degree of a quality. In Latvian, the superlative is formed by adding the prefix vis- to the comparative form of the adjective.

For example:

Again, the ending changes to match the gender of the noun.

Examples in Sentences

- Šī ir vislielākā māja ciematā. (This is the biggest house in the village.)
- Viņa ir visātrākā skrējēja komandā. (She is the fastest runner on the team.)

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms

Some Latvian adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms. For example:

These forms must be memorized as they do not follow the regular pattern.

Using Comparative and Superlative Adjectives in Sentences

When using comparative adjectives, the word nekā (than) is used to compare two things, similar to English.

Example: Viņš ir augstāks nekā viņa brālis. (He is taller than his brother.)

Superlative adjectives are often used with the definite article or in contexts where the highest degree is emphasized.

Summary of Key Points

• Comparative adjectives add -āks/-āka suffix.
• Superlative adjectives add vis- prefix to the comparative form.
• Adjective endings agree with the gender of the noun.
• Irregular forms exist and should be memorized.
• Use nekā to express comparison (than).