Understanding Comparative Adjectives in Nepali Grammar

Formation and Usage of Comparative Adjectives

Nepali Grammar, like its English counterpart, uses comparative adjectives to draw comparisons between two entities. In Nepali, these adjectives are commonly formed by adding the suffix -बन्दा (-banda) to the adjective stem. However, certain adjectives have irregular comparative forms that require memorization.

An essential part of constructing comparative sentences in Nepali is the use of the particle भन्दा (bhanda) which translates to “than” in English. When comparing two nouns in a sentence, the particle भन्दा is positioned between the described entity and the adjective to properly convey the comparative meaning.

Examples of Regular and Irregular Comparative Adjectives

Here are some common examples of regular comparative adjectives in Nepali Grammar:

– सानो (saano; small) becomes सानोबन्दा (saanobanda; smaller)
– ठूलो (thulo; big) turns into ठूलोबन्दा (thulobanda; bigger)
– राम्रो (raamro; good) forms राम्रोबन्दा (raamrobanda; better)

In addition to these regular forms, some irregular comparative adjectives in Nepali are:

– देखि (dekhi; visible) becomes देखिने (dekhĩne; more visible)
– कम (kam; less) forms कमतर (kamtar; lesser)

Negative Comparative Adjectives

Nepali Grammar also allows for the formation of negative comparative adjectives by adding the negating prefix न- (na-) to the comparative form. This is used to indicate that the comparison is unfavorable or less than the other.

Examples of negative comparative adjectives include:

– नसानोबन्दा (nasaanobanda; not smaller)
– नराम्रोबन्दा (naraamrobanda; not better)

Constructing Comparative Sentences in Nepali

Using Comparative Adjectives in Sentences

To better understand the application of comparative adjectives in Nepali Grammar, consider the following examples:

1. श्यामले रामलाई भन्दा सानो किताब दियो | (Shyamle Ramlaai bhanda saano kitaab diyo; Shyam gave Ram a smaller book than [the one he had])
2. मेरो घर तिम्रो घरभन्दा ठूलोबन्दा छ | (Mero ghar timro gharbhanda thulobanda chha; My house is bigger than your house)

Utilizing Negative Comparative Adjectives in Sentences

Negative comparative adjectives can also be used seamlessly in sentences:

1. आजको मौसम हिजोभन्दा नराम्रोबन्दा छ | (Aajko mausam hijobhanda naraamrobanda chha; Today’s weather is not better than yesterday’s)
2. उसको नयाँ कार पुरानो कारभन्दा नसानोबन्दा हो | (Usko nayaan caar puraano caarbhanda nasaanobanda ho; His new car is not smaller than the old car)

By understanding the formation and usage of comparative adjectives in Nepali Grammar, as well as the particle भन्दा and the negating prefix न-, it is possible to create rich, comparative sentences in the Nepali language. These linguistic elements contribute to a more profound understanding of the complexities and nuances present in Nepali Grammar.