The comparative

more MAIS << >> MENOS less

do que or que = than

e.g.
O tempo de hoje está mais frio (do) que o de ontem.
Weather today is colder than weather yesterday.

The superlative

Use definite article in front of superlative:

Hoje é o dia mais frio do ano.
Today is the coldest this year.

Some
exceptions:

bom - melhor	good - better
mau - pior	bad - worse
grande - maior	big - bigger
pequeno - menor	small - smaller

		2002-07-17		sentence corrected

Absolutive superlative

Absolutive superlative can be formed two ways:

• analytical (muito before the adjective)
• synthetical (-íssimo added to the adjective)

 

analytical (superlativo absoluto analítico)

Formed by adding adverb before the adjective (usually muito, but other adverbs are used also).

muito caro

NOTICE: This form is used used usually in colloquial speech.

 

synthetical (superlativo absoluto sintético)

Absolutive superlative is made with íssimo-ending:
caro, muito caro, caríssimo
expensive, very expensive, extremely expensive

NOTICE: The ending of the adjective may change as -íssimo ending is added to it. For example calmo >> calmíssimo, feliz >> felicíssimo.

Irregular absolutive
superlatives:

fácil - facílimo	the easiest
difícil - dificílimo	the hardest
mau - péssimo	the worst
bom - ótimo	the best

		1999-01-17		most >> extremely

Latest update: 2002-07-17 (YYYY-MM-DD)
Please email corrections to marko.huuhilo@sci.fi