Learning Serbian can be a rewarding experience, especially for English speakers eager to explore the rich linguistic tapestry of the South Slavic languages. One of the fascinating aspects of Serbian grammar is the use of degrees of comparison in adjectives. Understanding how to compare things in Serbian not only expands your vocabulary but also enhances your ability to describe and communicate more effectively.
Understanding Degrees of Comparison
Degrees of comparison allow us to express varying levels of a particular quality or attribute. In English, we commonly use three degrees of comparison for adjectives: the positive, comparative, and superlative forms. For example, “big,” “bigger,” and “biggest.” Serbian operates on a similar principle but has its own unique rules and patterns.
The Positive Degree
The positive degree is the base form of an adjective, used to describe a noun without making any comparison. For instance, in the sentence “Ovo je velika kuća” (“This is a big house”), the adjective “velika” is in its positive degree.
Examples of positive degree in Serbian:
– lep (beautiful)
– brz (fast)
– star (old)
– mlad (young)
The Comparative Degree
The comparative degree is used to compare two nouns, indicating that one has more or less of a particular quality than the other. In Serbian, forming the comparative degree typically involves adding the suffix “-ji” to the adjective. However, there are some irregular forms and other suffixes to consider.
For most adjectives, you simply add “-ji”:
– lep (beautiful) becomes lepši (more beautiful)
– brz (fast) becomes brži (faster)
– mlad (young) becomes mlađi (younger)
For adjectives ending in “-k,” “-g,” or “-h,” the suffix “-ji” triggers a consonant change:
– jak (strong) becomes jači (stronger)
– dug (long) becomes duži (longer)
– tih (quiet) becomes tiši (quieter)
Irregular Comparatives:
Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that must be memorized:
– dobar (good) becomes bolji (better)
– loš (bad) becomes gori (worse)
– velik (big) becomes veći (bigger)
– mali (small) becomes manji (smaller)
The Superlative Degree
The superlative degree is used to describe the highest degree of a quality among three or more nouns. In Serbian, forming the superlative degree typically involves adding the prefix “naj-” to the comparative form of the adjective.
Examples:
– lepši (more beautiful) becomes najlepši (most beautiful)
– brži (faster) becomes najbrži (fastest)
– mlađi (younger) becomes najmlađi (youngest)
Irregular Superlatives:
Just like with comparatives, some adjectives have irregular superlative forms:
– bolji (better) becomes najbolji (best)
– gori (worse) becomes najgori (worst)
– veći (bigger) becomes najveći (biggest)
– manji (smaller) becomes najmanji (smallest)
Using Degrees of Comparison in Sentences
To effectively use degrees of comparison in Serbian sentences, it’s crucial to understand sentence structure and word order.
Positive Degree:
– “Ovo je lep dan.” (This is a beautiful day.)
– “Ona je brza trkačica.” (She is a fast runner.)
Comparative Degree:
– “Ovaj dan je lepši od jučerašnjeg.” (This day is more beautiful than yesterday.)
– “Ona je brža od svog brata.” (She is faster than her brother.)
Superlative Degree:
– “Ovo je najlepši dan u godini.” (This is the most beautiful day of the year.)
– “Ona je najbrža trkačica u timu.” (She is the fastest runner on the team.)
Special Cases and Exceptions
While the rules outlined above cover the majority of adjectives, there are a few special cases and exceptions to be aware of:
Comparing Equality
When you want to express that two things are equal in a certain quality, you use the structure “tako… kao” or “isto… kao.”
Examples:
– “Ovaj dan je tako lep kao jučerašnji.” (This day is as beautiful as yesterday.)
– “Ona je isto brza kao njen brat.” (She is as fast as her brother.)
Comparing Inequality
To express that one thing is not as something as another, you use the structure “nije tako… kao” or “nije isto… kao.”
Examples:
– “Ovaj dan nije tako lep kao jučerašnji.” (This day is not as beautiful as yesterday.)
– “Ona nije isto brza kao njen brat.” (She is not as fast as her brother.)
Practice and Application
Practicing degrees of comparison in Serbian can be both fun and educational. Here are some exercises to help solidify your understanding:
Exercise 1: Positive to Comparative
Transform the following adjectives from their positive to comparative forms:
1. pametan (smart)
2. težak (heavy)
3. sladak (sweet)
4. čist (clean)
Exercise 2: Comparative to Superlative
Transform the following adjectives from their comparative to superlative forms:
1. lepši (more beautiful)
2. brži (faster)
3. mlađi (younger)
4. jači (stronger)
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Create sentences using the given adjectives in their appropriate degrees of comparison:
1. visok (tall)
2. svetao (bright)
3. hladan (cold)
4. topao (warm)
Conclusion
Understanding and using degrees of comparison in Serbian adjectives is a vital part of mastering the language. By learning the rules and patterns, and through consistent practice, you’ll find yourself becoming more proficient and confident in your Serbian communication. Whether you’re describing a beautiful day, comparing the speed of athletes, or expressing the highest degree of a quality, mastering degrees of comparison will significantly enhance your linguistic skills.
Keep practicing, stay curious, and enjoy the journey of learning Serbian!
