6Module 6
Comparisons
Comparativos e Superlativos
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Key Concept
Comparing things is essential for describing preferences, making choices, and giving opinions. Portuguese uses mais...do que, menos...do que, tão...como, and irregular forms like melhor and pior.
Portuguese comparatives follow regular patterns (mais/menos + adjective + do que) but several common adjectives have irregular comparative forms. The superlative has two types: relativo (the most/least) and absoluto (extremely, using -íssimo).
Key Phrase — Try saying it!
Lisboa é mais cara do que o Porto.
1Comparison Structures
Superioritymais + adjective + do que
Inferioritymenos + adjective + do que
Equality (adjectives)tão + adjective + como
Equality (nouns)tanto/a(s) + noun + como
tantos livros
Equality (verbs)verb + tanto como
tanto
Superlative (relative)o/a mais + adjective + de
famoso
Superlative (absolute)adjective + -íssimo/a
comida boníssima!
2Irregular Comparatives & Superlatives
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative | Absolute |
|---|---|---|---|
| bom (good) | melhor (better) | o/a melhor (the best) | ótimo/a (excellent) |
| mau (bad) | pior (worse) | o/a pior (the worst) | péssimo/a (terrible) |
| grande (big) | maior (bigger) | o/a maior (the biggest) | grandíssimo/a (huge) |
| pequeno (small) | menor (smaller) | o/a menor (the smallest) | pequeníssimo/a (tiny) |
| muito (much) | mais (more) | o/a mais (the most) | muitíssimo (extremely much) |
| pouco (little) | menos (less) | o/a menos (the least) | pouquíssimo (very little) |
3Superlativo Absoluto (-íssimo)
The superlativo absoluto sintético adds -íssimo to the adjective stem. Some adjectives have Latin-derived superlatives: bom → ótimo, mau → péssimo, grande → máximo, pequeno → mínimo. The ending agrees in gender and number: -íssimo, -íssima, -íssimos, -íssimas.
torre altíssima.
filme foi ótimo.
situação péssima.
lindíssimo.
prova foi facílima.
foi longuíssima.
fortíssimo.
riquíssima.
Examples
antigo
Porto is older than Lisbon. aquele.
This hotel is less expensive than that one. melhor
He is a better student than me. pior
This wine is worse than the other one. Algarve região
The Algarve is the warmest region of Portugal. menor
It's the smallest city in the country. melhor
The coffee here is better than there. inimigos.
I have more friends than enemies. tanto
She reads as much as her father. exercício anterior.
This exercise is harder than the previous one. África.
Summer in Portugal is hot, but not as hot as in Africa. Serra Estrela montanha continental.
Serra da Estrela is the tallest mountain in mainland Portugal. melhor.
This cake is good, but grandma's is better. tantas amigas
She has as many friends as I do. Tejo maior Douro.
The Tagus is bigger than the Douro. caríssima!
This soup is ridiculously expensive! pior
The worst day of the week is Monday. maior problema
It's the biggest problem we have. turma.
He's the friendliest in the class. preguiçosa
My cat is lazier than your dog. caminho
This path is as fast as the other one. — friíssima!
Is the water cold? — It's freezing! menor
He's the smallest in the family. péssimo.
Traffic today is terrible. conheço.
She's the most intelligent person I know.Practice Time