Understanding Belarusian Adjective Degrees of Comparison
In the Belarusian language, adjectives can change to show different levels of a quality. This is called the degrees of comparison. There are three degrees: the Positive Degree, the Comparative Degree, and the Superlative Degree.
This is the basic form of the adjective. It describes a quality without comparing it to anything else. For example, when you say something is 'big', you are using the positive degree.
Examples
- Гэта вялікі дом.
- Яна прыгожая дзяўчына.
- Гэта добрая кніга.
The comparative degree is used when you want to compare two things. In English, we often add '-er' to the adjective or use 'more'. In Belarusian, you usually add the ending '-ейшы' or '-эйшы' to the adjective.
Examples
- Гэта дом вялікейшы, чым той.
- Яна прыгажэйшая за сваю сястру.
- Гэта кніга дабрэйшая за іншую.
The superlative degree is used to show that something has the most of a quality. In English, this is often shown by adding '-est' or using 'most'. In Belarusian, you add the word 'самы' before the adjective or use the ending '-ейшы' or '-эйшы' with 'самы'.
Examples
- Гэта самы вялікі дом.
- Яна самая прыгожая дзяўчына.
- Гэта самая добрая кніга.
Important Points
- Positive: Basic form
- Comparative: Add '-ейшы' or '-эйшы'
- Superlative: Use 'самы' or add '-ейшы'/'-эйшы' with 'самы'