Language/Slovenian/Grammar/Adjectives
Hi Slovenian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on one of the core components of the Slovenian language – adjectives. Adjectives add flavor to any sentence, and in Slovenian, they can be used in multiple ways to describe different aspects of a noun, such as its size, color, shape, and more!
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Gender, Perfect tense, Nouns & Tenses.
Adjectives in Slovenian[edit | edit source]
As you might know, adjectives are words that describe nouns, telling us more about their color, size, shape, and more. In Slovenian, adjectives are often placed before the noun they describe, much like in English:
Slovenian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
velik avto | vɛlik ˈàːʋtɔ | big car |
rdeča vrtnica | ˈrdɛtʃa ˈʋərt̀nitsa | red rose |
debelo knjigo | ˈdɛbɛlɔ knjɪɡɔ | thick book |
lepi kraji | ˈlɛpi kraji | beautiful places |
However, the order of words in Slovenian adjectives may vary based on how important it is to emphasize a specific part of the description:
Slovenian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
zeleno jabolko | ˈzɛlɛnɔ jɐˈbɔlkɔ | green apple |
jabolko zeleno | jɐˈbɔlkɔ ˈzɛlɛnɔ | (the) apple green |
Did you know that Slovenians also have a cute way of forming adjectives by adding the suffix "-ški"? This suffix indicates something originates from a certain place, town, or area. For example, if you order a beer in Ljubljana, you might hear the following:
- Person 1: Lahko dobim kozarec Ljubljanskega piva? (May I have a glass of Ljubljana beer?)
- Person 2: Seveda, to je najboljše pivo na svetu! (Sure, that's the best beer in the world!)
Here, "Ljubljana" becomes "ljubljanski" by adding the suffix "-ški" at the end.
Comparison of Adjectives[edit | edit source]
Just like in many other languages, Slovenian adjectives have three different levels of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. Let's see some examples below.
Positive Form[edit | edit source]
The positive form of adjectives is used to describe a noun in its normal state, without comparison. Here are some examples:
Slovenian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
nov avto | ˈnɔu ˈàːʋtɔ | new car |
lep dan | lɛp dan | beautiful day |
modra bluza | ˈmɔdra ˈblùza | blue blouse |
visoko drevo | vɪˈsɔ̀kɔ ˈdrɛʋɔ | tall tree |
Comparative Form[edit | edit source]
The comparative form is used when comparing two nouns or elements. It expresses the difference between the two, indicating which one is greater, lesser, or equal to the other. In Slovenian, the comparative is formed by adding the suffix "-ši" to the basic adjective.
Slovenian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
bolj nov avto | bɔlj nɔu ˈàːʋtɔ | newer car |
lepši dan | ˈlɛpʃi dan | more beautiful day |
bolj modra bluza | bɔlj ˈmɔdra ˈblùza | bluer blouse |
višje drevo | ˈʋiʃjɛ ˈdrɛʋɔ | taller tree |
It's essential to keep in mind that the comparative form can differ based on the gender and number of the adjective.
Superlative Form[edit | edit source]
The superlative is used when comparing three or more nouns or elements, indicating the highest or lowest value. In Slovenian, the superlative is similar to the comparative in its structure, but we add the suffix "-ši" at the end of the adjective.
Slovenian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
najnovejši avto | ˈnajnɔʋɛiʃi ˈàːʋtɔ | newest car |
najlepši dan | ˈnajlɛpʃi dan | the most beautiful day |
najmodrejša bluza | ˈnajmɔdrɛjʃa ˈblùza | the bluest blouse |
najvišje drevo | ˈnajʋiʃjɛ ˈdrɛʋɔ | the tallest tree |
Placement of Adjectives[edit | edit source]
As we mentioned before, adjectives are typically placed before the noun they describe. However, in Slovenian, adjectives can also be placed after the noun, indicating emphasis or lending poignancy to the description.
Let's take a look at the difference below:
- Slovenian: avto, ki je rdeč (the car that is red) – emphasizes that the car is red
- Slovenian: rdeč avto (red car) - emphasizes the color of the car
Test Your Knowledge[edit | edit source]
Let's practice what we've learned today. Try to form the comparative and superlative of the following adjectives, and check your answers below.
- Slovenian: velik (big)
- Slovenian: hiter (fast)
- Slovenian: dober (good)
- Slovenian: lep (beautiful)
Slovenian | Comparative | Superlative |
---|---|---|
velik | večji | največji |
hiter | hitrejši | najhitrejši |
dober | boljši | najboljši |
lep | lepši | najlepši |
Practice Makes Perfect[edit | edit source]
To improve your Slovenian Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Now it's time to practice what you've learned today. Use the Slovenian adjectives to describe the following items below:
- car
- coffee
- book
- sunset
- sea
We hope this lesson has been both fun and informative! Keep practicing your adjectives, and you will see your Slovenian skills improve in no time!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Give your Opinion
- Negation
- Conditional Mood
- Nouns
- Gender
- Conjugation
- Questions
- How to Use Be
- Future Tense
- How to Use Have