Comparison of Adjectives (Stopniowanie Przymiotników)

Comparative adjectives are formed by adding the -sz- or -ejsz- infixes between the adjective's stem and the case ending, or by using the word bardziej. The infixes sometimes require consonant softening.

Superlative adjectives are formed by adding the prefix naj- to the comparative adjective. When the adjective uses bardziej, the prefix naj- is added to it.

All the above examples show forms for the Singular Masculine Gender in the Nominative Case. To create forms for other cases, numbers, and genders, use appropriate endings. The infixes -sz- and -ejsz-, the prefix naj-, and the word bardziej remain the same regardless of case, number, or gender. The only exceptions are the plural masculine personal Nominative and Vocative Cases, which use the -s- and -ejs- infixes instead of -sz- and -ejsz-.

For detailed information about the highlighted plural Nominative and Vocative Case forms, see these two articles:

These articles contain explanations of the softening sz ➜ si that occurred above.

The following sections examine in detail how to apply the infixes to create the comparative forms.

If the stem of an adjective ends with two consonants and the second consonant is not k, then use the -ejsz- infix.Additionally, if the stem ends in a hard consonant, it must be softened. To soften a consonant, replace the hard consonant with its soft alternative. The table below displays the hard/soft consonant pairs for adjectives in this group.

The table below demonstrates how to apply the softening.

If the stem of the adjective ends with ł, n, or g, it should be softened. To soften a consonant, replace the hard consonant with its soft alternative. The table below displays the hard/soft consonant pairs for adjectives in this group.

Additionally, the ending -i that follows g changes to -y in the masculine form.

If the adjective has -k-, -ek-, or -ok- suffixes, they should be dropped in comparative and superlative forms. Additionally, the ending -i changes to -y for masculine forms.

Some adjectives have changes in the last vowel of their stems. The changes that occur are a → e and o → e.

Long adjectives and adjectives derived from verbs or nouns use the words bardziej and najbardziej instead of the suffixes.

Some short adjectives also use this method instead of suffixes. Usually, this group includes adjectives that would be difficult to pronounce with the suffixes.

Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms.

After mastering the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives, it is recommended to learn the declension of adjectives. The following articles provide comprehensive coverage of this topic:

Finally, the Comparison of Adjectives and Declension of Adjectives can be combined in the Comparison of Adjectives together with Declension of Adjectives .