Let’s learn how to say “good – better – the best”, “bad – worse – the worst”, and “beautiful – more beautiful – the most beautiful”. First of all, let’s look at the consonant change in endings of the comparative form:
P – plj
B – blj
V – vlj
D – đi
S – š:
Z – ž
K – č
T – ć
H – š
G – ž
St – šč
These consonant changes will alternate the letter J in the ending described below.
The ending of the comparative form depends on how many syllables an adjective has. If an adjective has…
1 syllable – look at consonant changes above and add one if appropriate, if not – add the ending –JI (m), –JA(f), –JE (n) or:
| Brz – fast | brži (m) | brža (f) | brže (n) | Faster, consonant change Z – ž. |
| Ljut – angry | ljući (m) | ljuća (f) | ljuće (n) | More angry, consonant change t – ć. |
| Skup – expensive | Skuplji (m) | Skuplja (f) | Skuplje (n) | More expensive, consonant change p-plj |
2 or 3 syllables – add the ending –IJI (m),–IJA (f),–IJE(n):
Consonant change is not applicable for adjectives with 2 or more syllables.
Jeftin – cheap, Poznat – famous, Glasan – loud
| Jeftin | Jeftiniji (m) | Jeftinija (f) | Jeftinije (n) | Cheaper |
| Poznat | Poznatiji (m) | Poznatija (f) | Poznatije (n) | More famous |
| Glasan | Glasniji (m) | Glasnija (f) | Glasnije (n) | Louder |
Exceptions
| Dobar – good | Bolji (m) | Bolja (f) | Bolje (n) | Better |
| Loš – bad | Gore (m) | Gore (f) | Gore (n) | Worse |
| Mal – small | Manji (m) | Manja (f) | Manje (n) | Smaller |
| Visok – high | Viši (m) | Viša (f) | Više (n) | Higher |
| Nizok – low | Niži (m) | Niža (f) | Niže (n) | Lower |
| Lep – beautiful | Lepši (m) | lepša (f) | lepše (n) | More beautiful |
| Lak – easy | Lakši (m) | lakša (f) | lakše (n) | Easier |
| Mek – soft | Mekši (m) | mekša (f) | mekše(n) | Softer |
The comparative form of adverbs
The comparative form of adverbs is the same as the comparative form in the neuter gender.
Brzo – quickly, Brže – quicker/faster
Sporo – slowly, Sporije – slower
Superlative form
Fortunately, there is not anything special regarding the Superlative form of adjectives in the Serbian language.
In order to build a superlative form, just add the prefix NAJ- in front of the comparative form:
Skuplji (m) – more expensive, Najskuplji (m) – the most expensive
Bolji (m) – better, Nakbolji (m) – the best
Lepša (f) – more beautiful, Najlepša (f) – the most beautiful
Brže (n) – faster, Najbrže (n) – the fastest
Examples
Moj automobil je jeftiniji nego tvoj – My car is cheaper than yours
Zažto ova soba je manja? – Why this room is smaller?
Možeš da trčiš brže? – Can you run faster?
Jul je najtopliji mesec – July is the warmest month
Srpska hrana je najukusnija – Serbian food is the most tasty
Srpski je teže nego Engleski – Serbian is more difficult than English
Koja je naša najveća cilj? – What is our biggest goal?
Moja sestra je starijia od meni – My sister is older than me
Najbolji momenat je sada – The best moment is now
Kada je bio student, bilo je najsretnije vreme za njega – When he was a student, it was the most happy time for him
Najgora stvar je da nismo radili ništa veoma dugo – The worst thing is that we didn’t do anything for a long time
Najviša zgrada se nalazi u Dubaju – The highest building is situated in Dubai
Taj fotoaparat je skuplje nego ovaj – That photo camera is more expensive than this one
Vocabulary
| Nego – than Jul – july Topao – warm Mesec – month Hrana – food Ukusan – tasty Brz – fast Visok – high/tall | Nalaziti se – to be situated Fotoaparat – photo camera Skup – expensive Cilj – goal Nalaziti se – to be situated Haljina – dress Košulja – shirt Pantalone – pants |
Exercises
Use an appropriate degree of comparison
- Kada sam bio student, bilo je __________________________ vreme mojeg života (SREĆAN – happy) – When I was a student, it was the happiest time of my life
- Dete imaju _________________ odgovornosti nego odrasli (MALO – little) – Children have less responsibility than adults
- Ritam ove pesme je _______________ od prethodne (BRZ – fast) – The rhythm of this song is faster than of the previous one
- Ko hoće da dobije _________________ ponudu (KORISTAN – benefit) – Who wants to get the most beneficial offer?
- Koja hrana je _____________________ za tebe? (UKUSAN – tasty) – What is the tastiest food for you?
- Moja ćerka je ______________ od njegovog sin (VISOK – tall) – My daughter is taller than his son
- Koji šampanjac od ova dva je __________________? (DOBAR – good) – Which champagne is the best of these two?
- Ko od vas je ____________________ (MLAD – young) – Who of you is younger?
- Kada se moze kupiti _________________ karte? (JEFTIN – cheap) – When can one buy the cheapest tickets?
- Molim te, možeš da govoriš _____________________? (GLASAN – loud) – Can you speak louder please?
- Koja frizura je ________________ (DOBAR – good) – Which hairstyle is better?
- Koji je __________________ grad na svetu? (VELIKI – big) – Which is the biggest city in the world?
Answers
1: najsrećnije; 2: manje; 3: brže; 4: najkorisnu; 5: najukusnija; 6: više; 7: najbolji; 8: mlađi; 9: najjeftinije; 10: glasnej; 11: bolje; 12: najveći