How to Use Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives in Slovak

Understanding Adjectives in Slovak

In Slovak, adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they describe. When learning comparative and superlative forms, it's important to remember these agreements to use adjectives correctly in sentences.

Forming the Comparative in Slovak

The comparative form of adjectives in Slovak is typically formed by adding the suffix -ší (or its variants) to the adjective stem. This is similar to adding "-er" in English (e.g., "tall" → "taller").

For example, the adjective rýchly (fast) becomes rýchlejší (faster) in the comparative form.

Rules for Forming the Comparative

• If the adjective ends with a hard consonant, add -ejší or -ší depending on the stem.
• Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms.
• Adjectives ending in -ký often change to -kejší in the comparative.

Examples:

Forming the Superlative in Slovak

The superlative form expresses the highest degree of a quality, similar to "-est" in English (e.g., "tallest"). In Slovak, the superlative is formed by adding the prefix naj- to the comparative form of the adjective.

For example, rýchly (fast) becomes najrýchlejší (fastest).

Examples of Superlative Forms

Using Comparative and Superlative Adjectives in Sentences

When using comparative adjectives, Slovak often uses the word ako (meaning "as" or "than") to compare two things, similar to English.

Example: On je rýchlejší ako ja. (He is faster than I.)

Superlative adjectives are often used with the definite article or in a context that makes it clear that the subject is the most in a group.

Example: Ona je najlepšia študentka v triede. (She is the best student in the class.)

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms

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

Summary of Key Points

1. Comparative adjectives are formed by adding suffixes like -ší or -ejší to the adjective stem.
2. Superlative adjectives are formed by adding the prefix naj- to the comparative form.
3. Use ako to compare two things with comparatives.
4. Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms.
5. Adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.