Forming Comparative Adjectives (e.g., -iji, -ši)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To compare two things in Croatian, add suffixes like -iji, -ši, or -ji to the adjective stem.
- Most adjectives add -iji (e.g., star → stariji).
- Short adjectives with long vowels often use -ji (e.g., brz → brži).
- Three specific adjectives use -ši: lakši, mekši, and ljepši.
Suffix Selection Guide
| Adjective Type | Suffix | Example (Base) | Example (Comparative) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Most multi-syllable
|
-iji
|
star (old)
|
stariji
|
|
Short (long vowel)
|
-ji
|
brz (fast)
|
brži
|
|
Ending in -ak/-ok
|
-ji (drop suffix)
|
visok (tall)
|
viši
|
|
Specific (3 only)
|
-ši
|
lijep (pretty)
|
ljepši
|
|
Irregular
|
Suppletive
|
dobar (good)
|
bolji
|
Meanings
The comparative degree is used to express a higher quality or degree of a characteristic in one entity compared to another.
Direct Comparison
Comparing two specific nouns using 'nego' (than) or 'od' (than/from).
“Marko je viši nego Ivan.”
“Zagreb je veći od Splita.”
Progressive Increase
Using 'sve' (all/ever) with the comparative to show something is increasing over time.
“Dani postaju sve duži.”
“Učenje je sve lakše.”
Relative Preference
Expressing that one option is 'better' or 'more suitable' without a direct second object.
“Imate li jeftiniju sobu?”
“Tražim noviji auto.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + je + Comparative
|
On je jači.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + nije + Comparative
|
Ona nije niža.
|
|
Question
|
Je li + Subject + Comparative?
|
Je li kava toplija?
|
|
Comparison (nego)
|
Comp. + nego + Nominative
|
On je brži nego ja.
|
|
Comparison (od)
|
Comp. + od + Genitive
|
On je brži od mene.
|
|
Intensified
|
Puno/mnogo + Comparative
|
Ovo je puno bolje.
|
|
Progressive
|
Sve + Comparative
|
Postaje sve hladnije.
|
Formalitätsspektrum
Ovo je znatno povoljnije. (evaluating an option)
Ovo je bolje. (evaluating an option)
Ovo je top. (evaluating an option)
Ovo je jače. (evaluating an option)
The Three Suffixes of Comparison
-iji (Common)
- noviji newer
- stariji older
-ši (Rare)
- ljepši prettier
- lakši easier
-ji (Iotation)
- brži faster
- jači stronger
Nego vs. Od
Choosing the Right Suffix
Is it lijep, lak, or mek?
Is it 1 syllable with a long vowel?
Irregular Powerhouses
Irregulars
- • dobar -> bolji
- • zao -> gori
- • mali -> manji
- • velik -> veći
Beispiele nach Niveau
Moj pas je veći.
My dog is bigger.
Ova kava je toplija.
This coffee is warmer.
On je stariji nego ja.
He is older than me.
Hrvatska je ljepša.
Croatia is more beautiful.
Zagreb je veći od Splita.
Zagreb is bigger than Split.
Ovaj mobitel je bolji.
This phone is better.
Je li tvoj brat mlađi?
Is your brother younger?
Danas je vrijeme toplije nego jučer.
Today the weather is warmer than yesterday.
Ovaj put je kraći, ali teži.
This way is shorter, but harder.
Postaješ sve pametniji.
You are becoming smarter and smarter.
Tražim nešto jeftinije od ovoga.
I am looking for something cheaper than this.
Njegov glas je tiši nego moj.
His voice is quieter than mine.
Situacija je bila gora nego što smo mislili.
The situation was worse than we thought.
Ovaj stan je prostraniji i svjetliji.
This apartment is more spacious and brighter.
Što više učim, to se osjećam sigurnije.
The more I study, the more confident I feel.
On je viši od mene za deset centimetara.
He is taller than me by ten centimeters.
Njegova je argumentacija bila kudikamo uvjerljivija.
His argumentation was far more convincing.
Ovaj je prijevod točniji, premda manje poetičan.
This translation is more accurate, though less poetic.
Pronašli smo još povoljnije rješenje.
We found an even more favorable solution.
Bilo je to najgore moguće vrijeme za putovanje.
It was the worst possible time for travel.
Ishod je bio neusporedivo povoljniji no što se dalo naslutiti.
The outcome was incomparably more favorable than could have been guessed.
Njegov je utjecaj bivao sve zamjetnijim u akademskim krugovima.
His influence was becoming increasingly noticeable in academic circles.
Što su okolnosti bivale težima, to je on bio ustrajniji.
The harder the circumstances became, the more persistent he was.
Ovaj rad nudi dublji uvid u problematiku.
This work offers a deeper insight into the issue.
Leicht verwechselbar
Both mean 'longer'. Learners don't know which one to pick.
Both mean 'than'. 'No' is much shorter.
English speakers want to say 'više pametan'.
Häufige Fehler
više star
stariji
dobriji
bolji
velikiji
veći
On je stariji od ja.
On je stariji od mene.
visokiji
viši
brziji
brži
ljepiji
ljepši
dužiji
duži / dulji
On je brži nego od mene.
On je brži nego ja.
težakiji
teži
Satzmuster
___ je ___iji od ___.
Postaje sve ___.
Što ___, to ___.
Imate li ___ broj?
Real World Usage
Trebam manji broj.
Može li kava biti toplija?
Najljepši dan ikad!
Imam šire znanje u ovom području.
Tražim sobu s boljim pogledom.
Vidimo se kasnije!
The 'Nego' Safety Net
Drop the -ak!
Intensify with 'Puno'
Softening Comparisons
Smart Tips
Chop off that ending before you do anything else! It's like a tail that needs to be docked before the comparative suffix can fit.
Use 'nego'. It lets you keep the second noun in its basic (Nominative) form, so you don't have to think about Genitive endings.
Don't use the comparative! Use 'isto kao' (the same as) or 'tako... kao...' (as... as...).
Use 'sve' + comparative to describe trends. It sounds much more natural than repeating the adjective.
Aussprache
Iotation (Jotacija)
When adding -ji, the 'j' changes the previous consonant: z+j=ž, s+j=š, t+j=ć, d+j=đ.
Vowel Length
The vowel in the comparative often becomes short even if it was long in the positive form.
Comparison Emphasis
Ovo je BOLJE od onoga.
Stress the comparative word to emphasize the difference.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Remember the 'Big Three' for -ši: 'Beautiful, Easy, Soft' (Lijep, Lak, Mek). They are the only ones that take -ši!
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a 'J' acting like a blender. When it hits a consonant like 'z' in 'brz', it blends it into 'ž' (brži).
Rhyme
Za -ši su tri: lakši, mekši, ljepši svi!
Story
A tall man (visok) wanted to be even taller (viši). He dropped his 'ok' shoes to reach higher with a '-ji' ladder. This reminds you that 'visok' drops the 'ok' to become 'viši'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Look around your room. Find two objects and compare them using 'od' + Genitive. (e.g., 'Laptop je skuplji od knjige.')
Kulturelle Hinweise
In formal writing, 'dulji' is often preferred for time and 'duži' for space, though this is fading.
Dalmatians often use 'puno' more frequently than 'mnogo' to intensify comparatives.
Comparing people directly can sometimes be seen as blunt; using 'malo' (a little) can soften the comparison.
Derived from Proto-Slavic comparative suffixes *-jь and *-ějь.
Gesprächseinstiege
Koji je grad ljepši, Split ili Dubrovnik?
Je li tvoj posao sada teži nego prije?
Koji je auto bolji za obitelj?
Misliš li da je učenje hrvatskog lakše od učenja njemačkog?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
Moj djed je ___ od tvog.
Ova knjiga je ___ nego ona.
Find and fix the mistake:
On je visokiji od mene.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Zagreb ___ ___ ___.
The suffix -ši is used for only three adjectives: lijep, lak, and mek.
On je ___ nego ja.
A: Je li ovaj stan skup? B: Ne, tražimo nešto ___.
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesMoj djed je ___ od tvog.
Ova knjiga je ___ nego ona.
Find and fix the mistake:
On je visokiji od mene.
1. Lijep, 2. Brz, 3. Jak, 4. Lak
Zagreb ___ ___ ___.
The suffix -ši is used for only three adjectives: lijep, lak, and mek.
On je ___ nego ja.
A: Je li ovaj stan skup? B: Ne, tražimo nešto ___.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Only with adverbs or when comparing two different qualities of the same thing (e.g., 'He is more smart than brave'). For standard comparisons, use suffixes.
'Nego' is followed by the Nominative case, while 'od' requires the Genitive case. Both mean 'than'.
'Velik' is an irregular adjective. It drops the '-ik' and uses the '-ji' suffix, which changes 'l' to 'lj' and 'v' stays, but the whole stem is suppletive in some Slavic languages; in Croatian, it's just irregular.
Exactly three: 'lijep' (ljepši), 'lak' (lakši), and 'mek' (mekši).
Yes! It behaves like a regular adjective. 'On je stariji', 'Ona je starija', 'Ono je starije'.
It is a sound change where a consonant merges with 'j'. For example, 'brz' + 'ji' becomes 'brži'.
Yes, 'bolji' is the comparative of 'dobar' (good). For 'nicer' as in 'more pleasant', you might use 'ugodniji'.
Use the pattern 'Što više, to bolje'.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
-er / more
Croatian doesn't use a separate word for 'more' in standard comparison.
más + adjective
Croatian changes the adjective stem; Spanish does not.
-er
Croatian has more complex sound changes (Iotation) than German.
yori / motto
Japanese has no comparative morphology; Croatian is entirely morphological.
af'alu pattern
Arabic uses an internal template; Croatian uses suffixes.
gèng / bǐ
Chinese uses word order and adverbs; Croatian uses inflection.
