Koine Greek: Comparison

Synopsis: Comparison is a grammatical term that describes adjectives or adverbs that give a comparative quality to a noun (usually by comparing it with another noun). There are three degrees of comparison - absolute degree (the usual use of an adjective such as αγαθος ανθρωπος - a good man); comparative (such as κρεισσων ανθρωπος - a better man); and superlative (such as strongest man).

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Related topics

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

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Koine Greek: Comparison (discussion) (For short comments and opinions)

Lesson

Comparison is a grammatical term that describes adjectives or adverbs that give a comparative quality to a noun (usually by comparing it with another noun)

There are three degrees of comparison

• Absolute degree (the usual use of an adjective such as αγαθος ανθρωπος - a good man)
• Comparative (such as κρεισσων ανθρωπος - a better man)
• Superlative (such as κρεισσπτερος ανθρωπος - strongest man).

Formation of Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives (e.g. higher) are formed by taking the stem of the adjective and adding οτερος (if masculine) or οτερα (if feminine) or οτερον (if neuter). This is similar to English, where er is added to the adjective (for example: high becomes higher).

There are a number of irregular comparative adjectives such as αγαθος (good) which becomes κρεισσων (better). This is similar to English, where good becomes better.

Formation of Superlative Adjectives

Superlative adjectives (e.g. highest) are formed by taking the stem of the adjective and adding ατοτος (if masculine) or ατοτη (if feminine) or ατοτον (if neuter). This is similar to English, where est is added to the adjective (for example: high becomes highest).

There are a number of irregular superlative adjectives.

The noun being compared to

Comparatives are usually used to compare one noun with a second noun. In English, the word "than" is used in these sentences prior to the second noun (for example: "he is shorter than a tree"). In Greek, there are two ways to indicate the noun that is the object of comparison.

1. Using the Genitive Case
2. Using η (with a smooth breathing)

Genitive of Comparison

A noun in the genitive case directly following a comparative adjective means that this noun is the object of comparison.

Use of ή for Comparison

The word ή means "than" (it can also mean or). The noun directly following ή (note the smooth breathing) is the object of comparison.

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