Understanding the Comparative in Finnish Grammar

When studying Finnish grammar, one essential element is mastering the use of the comparative. It enables the speaker to compare qualities of different nouns, such as “bigger” or “faster.” This article will provide an in-depth analysis of comparative in Finnish grammar, covering topics such as forming the comparative, typical endings, and irregular comparisons.

Formation of Comparative Words

In Finnish grammar, the comparative is formed by adding specific endings to the root of an adjective or adverb. Here are the most common endings:

• -mpi for adjectives (e.g., “big” is “suuri” and “bigger” is “suurempi”)
• -mmin for adverbs (e.g., “fast” is “nopea” and “faster” is “nopeammin”)

There is also a special group of adjectives that end with “n” which drop the final “n” and add “-mpi” or “-mmin” to form the comparative. For example:

• “painava” (heavy) becomes “painavampi” (heavier)
• “hyvä” (good) changes to “parempi” (better)

Modifiers in Comparative Sentences

In sentences containing a comparative word, Finnish grammar typically uses the modifiers “kuin” (than) or “kuten” (as … as) to compare two elements. For example:

• “Tämä talo on suurempi kuin tuo toinen” (This house is bigger than that other one)
• “Hän juoksee nopeammin kuin minä.” (He runs faster than me)
• “Hän on yhtä pitkä kuten veljensä” (He is as tall as his brother)

Note that the adjective doesn’t always need to have a -mpi ending when combined with “kuten”. The basic form of the adjective is acceptable, as in the third example.

Superlative Forms in Finnish Grammar

Just like English, Finnish grammar has a superlative form to indicate the highest degree of a particular quality. It’s created using the endings “-in” for adjectives or “-immin” for adverbs. For example:

• “Hän on pisin opiskelija luokassa” (He is the tallest student in the class)
• “Hän juoksee kaikkein nopeimmin” (She runs the fastest of all)

In superlative sentences, the modifier “kaikkein” is often used to intensify the superlative.

Irregular Comparatives in Finnish Grammar

There are a few irregular comparatives, as they don’t follow the standard rules outlined above. Some examples include:

• “hyvä” (good) becomes “parempi” (better) instead of “hyvämpi”
• “huono” (bad) changes to “huonompi” (worse) instead of “huonempi”
• “paljon” (much) changes to “enemmän” (more) instead of “paljompi”

Using Comparative in Finnish Grammar: Wrap-up

This article has provided comprehensive insight into the use of comparative in Finnish grammar. To summarize, we’ve covered the formation of comparative words, modifiers, superlative forms, and irregular comparisons. Understanding the comparative is crucial for those learning Finnish language, as it allows for richer communication and comparison of various qualities. Keep these rules in mind when studying Finnish grammar, and soon you’ll be able to compare and contrast with ease.