Comparative (-raq/-rek)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Add -raq or -rek to adjectives to mean 'more' or 'a bit more' of a quality.
- Use -raq after back vowels (a, o, u): 'jaqsı' (good) -> 'jaqsıraq' (better).
- Use -rek after front vowels (e, i, ö, ü): 'ülken' (big) -> 'ülkenirek' (bigger).
- If the word ends in a vowel, it often drops or merges; if it ends in a consonant, attach directly.
Meanings
The suffix -raq/-rek is used to express a comparative degree, indicating that something possesses a quality to a greater extent than something else, or to soften an adjective.
Comparative
Comparing two items where one has more of a quality.
“Bul alma tättirek.”
“Ol jaqsıraq.”
Softener
Softening an adjective to mean 'a bit' or 'somewhat'.
“Kün salqınraq.”
“Ol kishirek.”
Comparative Formation
| Adjective | Vowel Type | Suffix | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaqsı | Back | -raq | Jaqsıraq |
| Ülken | Front | -rek | Ülkenirek |
| Arzan | Back | -raq | Arzanraq |
| Kishi | Front | -rek | Kishirek |
| Tätti | Front | -rek | Tättirek |
| Salqın | Back | -raq | Salqınraq |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Adj + raq/rek | Bul jaqsıraq |
| Negative | Emes + Adj + raq/rek | Bul jaqsıraq emes |
| Question | Adj + raq/rek + pe? | Bul jaqsıraq pa? |
| Softener | Adj + raq/rek | Kün salqınraq |
| Comparison | X-tan Y + raq/rek | Bul anan jaqsıraq |
| Short Answer | Yes/No | Iä, jaqsıraq |
Spectre de formalité
Bul jaqsıraq boladı. (General opinion)
Bul jaqsıraq. (General opinion)
Bul jaqsıraq ğoy. (General opinion)
Bul jaqsıraq ä! (General opinion)
Comparative Logic
Back Vowels
- Jaqsı Good
- Arzan Cheap
Front Vowels
- Ülken Big
- Kishi Small
Vowel Harmony Chart
Decision Flow
Is the last vowel back?
Usage Types
Comparison
- • Better than
- • Bigger than
Softening
- • A bit cold
- • A bit small
Examples by Level
Bul jaqsıraq.
This is better.
Ol ülkenirek.
That is bigger.
Kün ıstıqraq.
The day is warmer.
Bul tättirek.
This is sweeter.
Meniñ üyim senikinen jaqınraq.
My house is closer than yours.
Bul kiyim kishirek.
This clothing is a bit smaller.
Olar aqıldyraq.
They are smarter.
Jumıs köbirek.
There is more work.
Bügin kün salqınraq boladı.
Today the weather will be a bit colder.
Bul joba kürdelirek.
This project is more complex.
Ol mağan jaqsıraq qaraydı.
He treats me better.
Sizge arzanıraq kerek pe?
Do you need something cheaper?
Bul sheshim tiyimdiirek.
This decision is more efficient.
Ol öziniñ qateligin tüsinedirek.
He understands his mistake better.
Bular mañızdıraq mäseleler.
These are more important issues.
Onıñ aytqanı anıqıraq.
What he said is clearer.
Bul ädis jañalıqşıldıraq.
This method is more innovative.
Onıñ küzqarası tereñirek.
His perspective is deeper.
Bul tüsindirme tüsiniktiirek.
This explanation is more understandable.
Olar talapşılıraq.
They are more demanding.
Bul tildik qurylym kürdelirek.
This linguistic structure is more complex.
Onıñ ädebiy tili bayıraq.
His literary language is richer.
Bul taldau dälirek.
This analysis is more accurate.
Olar sezimtalıraq.
They are more sensitive.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'more' and 'most'.
They look similar to -raq/-rek.
Learners add case endings to the comparative.
Erreurs courantes
Jaqsı-rek
Jaqsıraq
More jaqsı
Jaqsıraq
Ülken-raq
Ülkenirek
Jaqsıraq-ler
Jaqsıraq
Eñ jaqsıraq
Eñ jaqsı
Kishirek-ten
Kishirek
Salqınraq-em
Salqınraq
Kürdelirek-raq
Kürdelirek
Arzanraq-rek
Arzanraq
Jaqsıraq-raq
Jaqsıraq
Tüsiniktiirek-raq
Tüsiniktiirek
Dälirek-rek
Dälirek
Bayıraq-raq
Bayıraq
Sentence Patterns
Bul ___raq.
Ol ___rek.
Bul ___raq emes.
___raq boladı.
Real World Usage
Arzanıraq bar ma?
Bügin ıstıqraq.
Jaqsıraq boladı.
Bul tiyimdiirek.
Tättirek bolsın.
Jaqınraq jol bar ma?
Check the vowels
Don't use 'more'
Softening
Politeness
Smart Tips
Look at the last vowel of the root word.
Use -raq/-rek to soften your opinion.
Use the -tan/-ten suffix for the object you are comparing against.
Avoid repeating the suffix.
Prononciation
Vowel Harmony
Ensure the suffix vowel matches the root vowel.
Stress
The stress usually moves to the syllable before the suffix.
Rising
Bul jaqsıraq pa? ↑
Questioning if something is better.
Falling
Bul jaqsıraq. ↓
Stating a fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember: 'Raq' is for the back (a, o, u), 'Rek' is for the front (e, i, ü).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant 'Raq' backpack on a back-vowel word, and a 'Rek' rocket on a front-vowel word.
Rhyme
Back vowels take the -raq, front vowels take the -rek, use them both to compare, and keep your speech in check!
Story
Aida wanted a bigger apple. She saw a small one and a 'ülkenirek' one. She chose the 'ülkenirek' one because it was 'tättirek'.
Word Web
Défi
Find 3 things in your room and compare them using the -raq/-rek suffix in 5 minutes.
Notes culturelles
Using -raq/-rek is seen as polite and humble. It avoids sounding too direct or demanding.
In rural areas, this suffix is used frequently to describe livestock or land quality.
In cities, it is used in professional and social settings to negotiate prices or opinions.
The comparative suffix -raq/-rek is a common Turkic feature found in many related languages.
Conversation Starters
Bul kün salqınraq pa?
Qaysısı jaqsıraq?
Bul joba kürdelirek pe?
Sizge qaysısı tiyimdiirek?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Bul jaqsı___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Bul arzan-rek.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
This is bigger.
Answer starts with: Bul...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Tätti + ?
Use 'salqın' to compare.
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesBul jaqsı___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Bul arzan-rek.
jaqsıraq / bul / .
This is bigger.
Jaqsı -> ?, Ülken -> ?
Tätti + ?
Use 'salqın' to compare.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Almost all, yes. It is a very productive suffix.
Usually, you just add the suffix. Sometimes the final vowel might merge.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
Check your vowel harmony. That is the most common reason.
No, it is strictly for adjectives.
Use 'eñ' before the adjective.
Yes, similar forms exist in Turkish and others.
Try comparing things in your daily life.
In Other Languages
más + adjective
Suffix vs separate word.
plus + adjective
Suffix vs separate word.
adjective + -er
Kazakh uses vowel harmony, German uses umlauts.
A wa B yori [adjective]
Particle vs suffix.
af'al pattern
Template change vs suffix.
bi + adjective
Particle vs suffix.
