The Comparative Suffix -ši
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The -ši suffix turns adjectives into comparatives, meaning 'more' or 'er' (e.g., 'lep' becomes 'lepši').
- Add -ši to most adjectives: lep (beautiful) -> lepši (more beautiful).
- If the adjective ends in -k, it often changes: kratek (short) -> krajši (shorter).
- Use 'od' + genitive case to compare: lepši od mene (more beautiful than me).
Meanings
The suffix -ši is used to form the comparative degree of adjectives in Slovenian, indicating a higher intensity or quality.
Direct Comparison
Comparing two objects or people based on a quality.
“Moj brat je starejši od mene.”
“Ta knjiga je zanimivejša od prejšnje.”
Relative Quality
Describing something as 'more' without an explicit comparison target.
“Iščem nekaj cenejšega.”
“Potrebujem večji kozarec.”
Comparative Formation
| Base Adjective | Comparative (-ši) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| lep | lepši | more beautiful |
| star | starejši | older |
| hiter | hitrejši | faster |
| kratek | krajši | shorter |
| dober | boljši | better |
| velik | večji | bigger |
| drag | dražji | more expensive |
| lahek | lažji | easier |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Adj + -ši | Ta je lepši. |
| Comparison | Adj + -ši + od + Gen | Lepši od mene. |
| Negative | Manj + Adj | Manj lep. |
| Question | Ali je + Adj + -ši? | Ali je hitrejši? |
| Irregular | Dober -> Boljši | To je boljše. |
| K-stem | Kratek -> Krajši | Pot je krajša. |
正式程度
To je boljše. (General)
To je boljše. (General)
To je boljše. (General)
To je boljše. (General)
The -ši Universe
Regular
- lepši more beautiful
K-stem
- krajši shorter
Irregular
- boljši better
Examples by Level
Ta pes je lepši.
This dog is more beautiful.
To je večji avto.
This is a bigger car.
Moj brat je starejši.
My brother is older.
Danes je topleje.
Today it is warmer.
Ta knjiga je boljša od tiste.
This book is better than that one.
Moja hiša je manjša od tvoje.
My house is smaller than yours.
On je hitrejši od mene.
He is faster than me.
To je krajša pot.
This is a shorter way.
Ta rešitev je preprostejša od prejšnje.
This solution is simpler than the previous one.
Slovenščina je težja od angleščine.
Slovenian is harder than English.
Ta kava je močnejša od tiste.
This coffee is stronger than that one.
On je pametnejši, kot sem mislil.
He is smarter than I thought.
Ta argument je tehtnejši od vseh ostalih.
This argument is weightier than all others.
Njegov pristop je bolj sistematičen.
His approach is more systematic.
Ta zgradba je starejša od mesta samega.
This building is older than the city itself.
Postopek je postal zahtevnejši.
The process has become more demanding.
Njegov slog je prefinjenejši od mojega.
His style is more refined than mine.
Ta teorija je bolj verjetna.
This theory is more plausible.
Situacija je postala bolj kritična.
The situation has become more critical.
Ta interpretacija je jasnejša.
This interpretation is clearer.
Njegova retorika je bila ostrejša od pričakovanj.
His rhetoric was sharper than expected.
Ta odločitev je bila modrejša.
This decision was wiser.
Njen vpliv je bil globlji.
Her influence was deeper.
Ta razlika je subtilnejša.
This difference is more subtle.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up -ši and naj-.
Using both.
Which to use for comparison.
常见错误
bolj lepši
lepši
lepši od jaz
lepši od mene
lepši kot
lepši od
lepši v
lepši od
kratekši
krajši
doberši
boljši
velikši
večji
bolj lepši
lepši
lepši od moj brat
lepši od mojega brata
lepši kot jaz
lepši od mene
bolj prefinjenši
prefinjenejši
lepši od on
lepši od njega
lepši od vsi
lepši od vseh
Sentence Patterns
Ta ___ je ___ od tistega.
Ali je ___ ___ od ___?
To je ___ ___ od prejšnjega.
___ je ___ kot sem mislil.
Real World Usage
Imate kaj cenejšega?
To je lepši dan!
Moj pristop je boljši.
Ta pot je krajša.
Želim večjo pico.
To je boljše.
Watch the K
No Double Comparatives
Use the Genitive
Be Direct
Smart Tips
Use -ši instead of 'bolj'.
Change the k to j.
Use the genitive case after 'od'.
Use 'bolj' + adjective.
发音
Stress
The stress usually stays on the same syllable as the base adjective.
Falling
Ta je lepši ↘
Statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the -ši sound as a 'she' sound, like 'she is more beautiful than him'.
Visual Association
Imagine a tall giraffe (visok) standing next to a shorter giraffe, and the tall one is wearing a sign that says '-ši'.
Rhyme
When you want to compare, add -ši with care!
Story
Ana wanted a bigger house. She looked at a small house and said, 'This is small'. Then she saw a mansion and said, 'This is večji (bigger)'. She was happy with her choice.
Word Web
挑战
Write 3 sentences comparing your favorite foods using -ši in the next 5 minutes.
文化笔记
In the capital, people are very direct with comparisons.
Coastal dialects might use different structures.
Regional variations in adjective usage.
The -ši suffix comes from Proto-Slavic *-jьšь.
Conversation Starters
Kaj je lepše: morje ali gore?
Ali je kava boljša od čaja?
Kdo je hitrejši: ti ali tvoj prijatelj?
Katera knjiga je zanimivejša?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Ta avto je ___ (hiter) od mojega.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ta pot je kratekši.
Ta knjiga je dobra. (Compare to 'tista')
The suffix -ši is used for superlatives.
A: Ta kava je draga. B: Ja, ampak tista je ___.
lepši / od / je / ta / tistega
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesTa avto je ___ (hiter) od mojega.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ta pot je kratekši.
Ta knjiga je dobra. (Compare to 'tista')
The suffix -ši is used for superlatives.
A: Ta kava je draga. B: Ja, ampak tista je ___.
lepši / od / je / ta / tistega
lep, dober, kratek
Score: /8
常见问题 (8)
No, that is a double comparative. Use only one.
Then use 'bolj' + adjective.
Yes, but they often end in -e.
It's a historical sound change involving the 'k'.
Yes, when comparing two specific things.
Use 'manj' + adjective.
Yes, it is standard in all registers.
Use 'naj-' + comparative form.
In Other Languages
-er
German doesn't have the same k-stem changes.
plus + adj
French never uses a suffix for comparatives.
más + adj
Spanish lacks synthetic comparative suffixes.
yori
Japanese doesn't change the adjective itself.
af'al
Arabic is a template-based language.
geng
Chinese has no inflection.
