Irregular Comparative Forms (e.g., dobar -> bolji)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Some Croatian adjectives don't follow the -iji/-iji/-ije rule; you must memorize the irregular forms like 'dobar' to 'bolji'.
- Dobar (good) becomes bolji (better).
- Zao (bad) becomes gori (worse).
- Velik (big) becomes veći (bigger).
Irregular Comparative Forms
| Adjective | Meaning | Comparative |
|---|---|---|
|
Dobar
|
Good
|
Bolji
|
|
Zao
|
Bad
|
Gori
|
|
Velik
|
Big
|
Veći
|
|
Mali
|
Small
|
Manji
|
Meanings
These adjectives change their root entirely or significantly when comparing two things, rather than adding a suffix.
Quality comparison
Used to express that one thing has more of a quality than another.
“Ovo je bolji auto.”
“On je gori od mene.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + je + Comp + nego + Noun
|
Ovo je bolji auto.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + nije + Comp + nego + Noun
|
Ovo nije bolji auto.
|
|
Question
|
Je li + Subject + Comp + nego + Noun?
|
Je li ovo bolji auto?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Da/Ne, (nije) + Comp
|
Da, bolji je.
|
|
Plural
|
Subject + su + Comp + Noun
|
Ovo su veći problemi.
|
|
Comparison
|
Comp + od + Genitive
|
On je gori od mene.
|
Spectre de formalité
Ovo je bolje. (General)
Ovo je bolje. (General)
Ovo je bolje. (General)
Ovo je top. (General)
Irregular Roots
Good
- Bolji Better
Exemples par niveau
Ovo je bolji dan.
This is a better day.
On je gori od mene.
He is worse than me.
Imamo veći problem nego jučer.
We have a bigger problem than yesterday.
Njegov rezultat je bio manji od očekivanog.
His result was smaller than expected.
Situacija je postala znatno gora.
The situation has become significantly worse.
Nije mogao naći bolji primjer.
He could not find a better example.
Facile à confondre
Learners try to apply -iji to everything.
Using them interchangeably.
Forgetting that comparatives change gender.
Erreurs courantes
dobriji
bolji
velikiji
veći
maliji
manji
zaoji
gori
veći od ja
veći od mene
bolji nego mene
bolji od mene
gori nego on
gori od njega
veća problem
veći problem
bolje stvari su
bolje su stvari
manji od onog
manji od onoga
najbolji od bolji
najbolji od svih
gori nego što je bio
gori nego što je bio
veći nego što misliš
veći nego što misliš
Structures de phrases
Ovo je ___ nego ono.
On je ___ od mene.
Imamo ___ problem nego jučer.
To je ___ nego što sam mislio.
Real World Usage
Ovo je bolje!
Ovo je veći izazov.
Ovaj hotel je bolji.
Ovo je bolja pizza.
Gori dan ikad.
Rezultati su veći.
Memorize the 4
No -iji
Gender match
Natural flow
Smart Tips
Always use 'od' + Genitive.
Match the gender of the comparative to the noun.
Remember it's for size, not just quantity.
Use it for quality, not just physical state.
Prononciation
Stress
Stress usually falls on the first syllable of these forms.
Statement
Ovo je BOLJI.
Neutral declarative.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember 'B-G-V-M': Bolji, Gori, Veći, Manji.
Association visuelle
Imagine a giant (Velik) turning into a bigger giant (Veći) while holding a 'good' (Dobar) apple that turns into a 'better' (Bolji) one.
Rhyme
Dobar-bolji, zao-gori, uči ovo, ne govori!
Story
I had a small (mali) sandwich, but I wanted a smaller (manji) one. My friend had a bad (zao) day, but it became a worse (gori) day. We both agreed that a good (dobar) lunch makes for a better (bolji) afternoon.
Word Web
Défi
Write 4 sentences using each of the 4 irregulars in 5 minutes.
Notes culturelles
In some coastal dialects, the usage of these forms remains standard, though pronunciation may vary.
Standard Croatian is used in all formal settings.
Similar to standard, very consistent usage.
These forms derive from Proto-Slavic comparative stems.
Amorces de conversation
Što je bolje, kava ili čaj?
Je li ovaj auto veći?
Je li situacija gora?
Što je manji problem?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Ovaj film je ___ nego onaj.
Find and fix the mistake:
To je velikiji problem.
Ona je ___ od mene.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
He is worse than me.
Answer starts with: On ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mali (feminine comparative)
Use 'veći' and 'problem'.
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesOvaj film je ___ nego onaj.
Find and fix the mistake:
To je velikiji problem.
Ona je ___ od mene.
nego / bolji / je / ovo / to
He is worse than me.
Dobar -> ?
Mali (feminine comparative)
Use 'veći' and 'problem'.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
They are high-frequency words that evolved differently over centuries.
No, never. It sounds incorrect.
Yes, they are adjectives and must agree with the noun.
These are the main ones for A2 level.
Try to use a synonym or rephrase the sentence.
Yes, it can be used as an adverb too.
Use 'od' + Genitive.
Yes, they are standard in all registers.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
mejor/peor
Spanish doesn't change gender for 'mejor'.
besser/schlechter
Croatian irregulars are more consistent.
meilleur/pire
French uses 'plus' for other adjectives.
yori
Japanese has no irregular adjective roots for comparison.
afdal
Arabic is highly formulaic.
bi
Chinese adjectives do not change form.
