ADJECTIVES

Adjectives are words which indicate a quality, a property, a characteristic associated or belonging to a specific noun or nominal phrases.  Adjectives are inflected for gender, number and case.  Adjectives do not have an inherited gender as nouns do, but are inflected to produce a form for each gender.  They show separate forms for the masculine, feminine and neuter genders both in the singular and plural.  These forms undergo changes for case.

Adjectives in Greek may be used as attributives, predicatives, appositives and as objective complements.

                        Το παλιό αυτοκίνητο δεν ξεκινάει-The old car doesn’t start. (attributive)
                        Αυτή είναι η κοκκινομάλλα-Is this the red-head. (predicative)
                        Ο Μάρκος, πανέξυπνος, έγινε χημικός-Mark, very clever, became a chemist. (appositive)

Adjectives may be nominalised and used as nouns.  Typically the adjectives in the masculine gender refer to men, in the feminine refer to women and in the neuter refer to abstract ideas.

                        Ο καλός-the good man
                        Η καλή-the good woman
                        το καλό-the goodness; the good thing

Adjectives agree with the noun which they modify in gender, number and case.

                        Ο ωραίος κήπος, του ωραίου κήπου, οι ωραίοι κήποι (nice garden)
                        Η ωραία κοπέλα, της ωραίας κοπέλας, οι ωραίες κοπέλες (nice woman)

Although adjectives agree with nouns for gender, number and case, the adjective decline according to different declension patterns with respect to nouns.

                        ο γλυκός καφές           οι γλυκοί καφέδες
                        του γλυκού καφέ         των γλυκών καφέδων
                        το γλυκό καφέ             τους γλυκούς καφέδες

Adjectives modifying more than one noun of the same gender show the plural ending and agree in gender and case with the modified nouns.

                        Ο Αντρέας και ο Μάριος είναι κακοί-Andreas and Mario are evil.

If the modified nouns are animate and of different genders, adjectives generally show the plural masculine endings.

                        Ο Αντρέας και η Μαρία είναι έξυπνοι-Andreas and Maria are clever.

If the modified nouns are inanimate, adjectives generally take the neuter plural endings or sometimes the gender of the noun closest to the adjectives

                        Ο καναπές, η καρέκλα και το τραπέζι είναι όμορφα μαζι-The sofa, the chair and the table are beautiful together.

Adjectives modifying nouns preceded by the definite article usually occur between the article and the noun, for example, ο καλός μαθητής.  For emphasis, adjectives may also occur either after or before the noun, in such instances, the article is repeated before the adjective, for example, ο καλός ο μαθητής.

Adjectives modifying nouns which are not preceded either by definite article or preceded by the indefinite articles occur before the noun, for example, (μια) καλή μέρα-(a) good day.  For emphasis, such adjectives may follow the noun, for example, (μια) μέρα καλή.

DECLENSION OF ADJECTIVES

Adjectives show the same declension patterns as nouns do with the same endings, except for the differences in the stress patterns.  There are some endings in the masculine gender, which are purely adjectival.  The declension patterns of adjectives are described here.

DEGREES OF COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

In addition to genders, cases and numbers; adjectives show degrees of comparisons: the positive, the comparative and the superlative. The positive degree indicates the existence of a quality without any relationship to a similar quantity in any other being or object.  The comparative degree indicates that quality exists to a greater or lesser degree than in another being or object.  There are two kinds of superlative-relative and absolute superlative. The relative superlative degree indicates the highest or the lowest degree of a quantity amongst all beings or objects compared.  The absolute superlative degree indicates a very high or very low degree of quality without the slightest suggestion of comparison.

COMPARATIVE DEGREE OF ADJECTIVES

A) Formation of Comparative Degree of Adjectives in -ος and -υς.

The comparative degree of adjectives in -ος and -υς is formed in two ways:

(1) by placing the adverb πιο (more) before the positive degree of the adjective.

                        τρελλός à πιο τρελλός
                        βαρύς à πιο βαρύς

(2) by attaching the suffix -τερος, -τερη, τερο to the end of the adjective stem.

                        τρελλός à τρελλότερος
                        βαρύς à βαρύτερος

The feminine form of the comparative in -τερος always ends in -η regardless of the adjective in the positive degree.

Many adjectives form their comparative degree in both ways just indicated.  However, certain adjectives, primarily new or modernised or polysyllabic adjectives and adjectives of foreign origin for the comparative degree only with πιο plus the positive degree.  Some adjectives in -ος show two comparative forms with either ο or υ before -τερος.  Ελαφρότερος, κοντότερος and χοντρότερος are the only three comparative which can change the vowel from ο to υ. They can be written and said as ελαφρύτερος, κοντύτερος and χοντρύτερος.  Exceptions are καλός (good), μεγαλός (big) and πρώτος (first), which always use the vowel -υ-.

In writing, the comparative form of the adjective in -ος may show endings in -ότερος or -ώτερος.  It is written -ώτερος if the masculine form of the adjective end in -οος or -εος in the positive degree.  In all other cases it is spelt -ότερος.  The traditional spelling of these comparative, however is with -ω- if the stem vowels -ε- and -ο- are followed by one consonant, for example, σοφός becomes σοφώτερος.  Adjective ending in -υς always show the vowel -υ- before -τερος, for example, βαρύς becomes βαρύτερος.

B) Formation of Comparative Degree of Adjectives other than in -ος and -υς.

Adjectives in ης, -α, -ικο; -ης, -ης, -ες and in ων (ονας), ων, ον form the comparative by using πιο plus the positive degree of the adjectives.  Adjectives in -ης, -ης, -ες also occur with the suffix -τερος.

C) Formation of Comparative Degree of Participial Adjectives.

Participial adjectives form the comparative degree only by means of adverb πιο.

INFLECTION AND USAGE OF COMPARATIVE FORMS

The comparative forms -τερος, -η, -ο are declined like the adjectives in -ος, -η, -ο, for example, καλός.  Adjectives in the comparative form agree in gender, number and case with the noun with which they stand in construction.

In the comparative statement, if the two members of comparison are nouns, pronouns or nominalised adjectives, the second member is generally introduced by the preposition από followed by the accusative case.

                        Η Μαρία είναι νεότερη από τον Παύλο-Maria is younger than Paul.
                        Η Αθήνα είναι πιο όμορφη από το Λονδίνο-Athens is more beautiful than London.

After some adjectives in -τερος, such as καλύτερος and ομορφότερος, the second members of the comparison, principally personal pronouns, may also occur in the genitive case.  Otherwise these comparatives are followed by από plus the accusative case.

                        Η θεία είναι μεγαλύτερή σου-Auntie is older than you.
                        Η θεία είναι μεγαλύτερη από εσένα-Auntie is older than you.

Sometimes the second member may be introduced by παρά followed by the same case as that of the first member of the comparison.  The structure with παρά usually implies contrast.

                        Η γιαγιά είναι καλύτερη μλάγειρας παρά τη μαμά-Grandma is a better cook than mum.

If the two members of comparison are verbs, adverbs, adverbial or prepositional phrases, the word παρά usually introduces the second member.  The preposition από may sometimes occur before an adverb or a clause.

                        Προτιμώ να διαβάζω παρά να γράφω-I prefer to read than write.
                        Η Μαρία προτιμά να παίξει με αυτοκίνητα παρά κούκλες-Maria prefers to play with cars than dolls.

COMPARATIVE EXPRESSED BY λιγότερος OR πιο λίγο

Comparatives expressing superiority are expressed by πιο or the suffix -τερος, -τερη, τερο.  Comparatives expressing inferiority are formed only by placing the adverb λιγότερο or πιο λίγο before the positive degree of the adjective.  They are formed without the suffix comparatives.

                        Η αγγλική γλώσσα είναι λιγότερο άγρια από τη γερμανική γλώσσα-The English language is less harsh than                  the German language.

This method of showing inferiority is frequently substituted by equivalent expressions of inequality.

                        Είναι λιγότερο καθαρός από...-he is less clean than… versus
                        Δεν είναι τόσο καθαρός, όσο ...-he is no as clean as…

COMPARATIVE EXPRESSIONS OF EQUALITY

Comparatives indicating quality are expressed by the following related pronouns τόσος, -η, -ο ...όσο, -η, -ο (και)… (as much/many…as…) by the related adverbs τόσο...όσο (και)… (as (so) much…as…); το ίδιο...όπως/όπως και/όσο/όσο και... (the same…as…), for example,

                        Τώρα τελευταία, δεν έχω τόση ανοχή όπως είχα πρώτα-Now, I don’t have so much patience as I initially                         had.
                        Δεν είναι τόσο χαρούμενοι όσο ήθελα να είναι-They are not as happy I wanted them to be.

REATIVE SUPERLATIVE DEGREE OF ADJECTIVES

FORMATION OF REATIVE SUPERLATIVE DEGREE OF ADJECTIVES

The relative superlative degree of adjective is formed by placing the definite article before the comparative form, for example, χοντρός, χοντρότερος (πιο χοντρός), ο χοντρότερος (ο πιο χοντρος).

INFLECTION AND USAGE OF REALTIVE SUPERLATIVE FORMS

Adjectives in the superlative degree are declined like those in the comparative degree. They also agree in gender, number and case with the noun with which the stand in construction.

In a relative superlative statement, the adjective is usually followed by a genitive case, by prepositional phrase with σε or από plus the accusative, or by a relative clause.

                        Ο Μάρκος είναι ο σοβαρότερος χημικός του πανεπιστημίου-Mark is the university’s most serious chemist.
                        Η Μαρία είναι η πιο όμορφη κοπέλα-Maria is the most beautiful woman.

ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE DEGREE OF ADJECTIVES

FORMATION OF ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE DEGREE OF ADJECTIVES IN -ος AND –υς

The absolute superlative degree of the adjective in -ος and -υς is formed either by attaching the suffix -τατος, -τατη, -τατο to the adjectival stem, for example, ομορφότατος, βαρύτατος or by placing πολύ (much), πάρα πολύ (very much), πολύ πολύ (very much) or adverbs such as υπερβολικά (extremely), εξαιριτικά (exceptionally) before the positive degree of the adjective.  For example,

                        όμορφορςàομορφότατος or πολύ όμορφος
                        βαρύςàβαρύτατος or πολύ βαρύς

The feminine form of the superlatives in -τατος always ends in -η, regardless of the ending of the adjective in the positive degree.

Not all adjectives in -ος form their superlative both the ways.  Some adjective, primarily new or modernised adjective and adjective of foreign origin form their superlative degree only with πολύ, πάρα πολύ etc plus the positive degree.

In writing, the vowel that precedes the suffix -τατος is either -ο- (-υ-) or -υ- as in the case of the comparative degree.

FORMATION OF ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE DEGREE OF ADJECTIVES IN -ης, -ες, ικο; -ης, -ης, -ες AND –ονας, ων, ον

Absolute superlative degree of adjectives in -ης, -ες, ικο; -ης, -ης, -ες and -ονας, -ων, -ον is formed by πολύ, πάρα πολύ plus the positive degree of the adjectives.  Adjectives in -ης, -ης, -ες show also the absolute superlatives with the suffix –τατος.

FORMATION OF ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE DEGREE OF PARTICIPIAL ADJECTIVES

Participial adjectives form their absolute superlative only by means of πολύ, πάρα πολύ, πολυ, πολύ etc.  For example,

                        ενδιαφέρονàπολύ ενδιαφέρον
                        χαρούμενοςàπολύ χαρούμενος

INFLECTIONAL AND USAGE OF ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE FORMS

The absolute superlative forms in -τατος, -τατη, -τατο are declined as in -ος, -η, -ο.  Adjectives in the absolute superlative agree in gender, number and case with the noun with which they stand in construction.  Adjectives in the absolute superlative degree are used like adjective in the positive degree.  For example,

                        Ο Γιάννης είναι βαρύτατος-John is very heavy
                        Έχουν ένα πολύ πολύ άταχτο παιδί-They have a very naughty child.

EQUIVALENTS OF THE ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE FORMS

Equivalents of the absolute superlative forms of the adjective may be expressed by prefixes such as κατα-, υπερ-, θεο-, ολο-, παν- etc on the adjective; by repletion of the adjective etc. For example,

            κόκκινος-κατακόκκινος (very red)
            τρελλός-θεότρελλος (very crazy)
            φανερός-ολοφάνερος (very obvious)

INTENSIFIERS OF COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE FORMS

Comparative forms a sometimes intensified by adverbs such as πολύ (much), ακόμα (και) (even), πιο (more), πολύ πιο (much more); by phrases such as όσο μπόρω (as much (far) as I can), όσο γίνεται (as far as possible) etc.  For example,

                        Είναι πολύ τρελλότερος από την Μαρία-He is much more crazier than Maria.
                        Του έκανα όσο μπορούσα πιο γρήγορα-I did as fast as I could.

Relative superlative forms may be intensified by the adverb πιο, by the genitive του κόσμου (of the world, in the world) by phrases such as που γίνεται (that can be, that is possible), που υπάρχει (that exists) etc.  For example,

                        Η Άννα είναι η πιο ομορφότερη γυναίκα που έχω δει-Anna is the prettiest woman I have seen.
                        Το ωραιότερο πλάσμα του κόσμου για μένα είναι εσυ-The nicest creature in the world form me is you.

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE FORMS OF IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES

In Modern Greek, there are only eight adjectives, which have irregular comparative and superlative degrees.  The full list is below:

Adjective without comparatives are adjectives referring to materials, origin and relation, place and time and unchangeable situations. The comparative of participles can only be made with the phrasal comparatives with πιο rather than the suffix -τερος.

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE FORMS FROM OLD ADVERBS AND PREPOSITION

Some comparatives have no positive degree. This is because they are derived from adverbs. They are three:

From κάτω (down) one gets κατώτερος (lower) and κατώτατος (lowest).

From άνω (up) one gets ανώτερος (upper, higher) and ανώτατος (highest).

From υπέρ (above) one gets υπέρτερος (higher) υπέρτατος (highest).

The following table shows comparative and superlative forms of words, which are either adverbs or prepositions in the positive form.

Some adjective only occur in the comparative degree such as πρωτύτερος (previous) and πρωτιμότερος (preferable).

ADJECTIVES NOT SHOWING DEGREES OF COMPARISON

Some adjectives, mainly adjectives designating invariable or absolute qualities, do not usually show degrees of comparison.  Such adjectives include the following:

a)      adjectives indicating substance such as μάλλινος (woolen), ξύλινος (wooden), χρυσός (golden).

b)      adjectives indicating origin or affinity, such as νησιώτικος (of/from the island), πατρικός (paternal, fatherly).

c)      adjectives indicating time or place, such as τωρινός (of the present day), σημερινός (today’s), θαλασσινός (of the sea).

d)      adjective indicating quantity such as δεύτερος (second), τρίτος (third), μισός (half), αρκετός (enough), τετράγωνος (square), στρογγυλός (circular)

e)      adjectives in which themselves denote the absolute such as αγιάτρευτος (incurable), αθάνατος (immortal), εξερετικός (exceptional).

ADVERBS FROM ADJECTIVES

As one adds "-ly" to adjectives to make adverbs in English, in Greek on replaces the adjective ending "-ος" and "-υς" with "-α" and "-ια" respectively. Hence the comparative adjective endings "-τερος" and "-τατος" become "-τερα" and "-τατα" respectively.

Adjective ending in "-ης" and "-ες" form their adverbs replacing these endings with "ως." Adverbs, which are derived from adjective, most commonly, have "-α" as an ending. Several adverbs that end in "-α" can also end in "-ως." For example, "βέβαια" and "βεβαίως."

NUMBERS

Words that usually act as adjectives and sometimes as nouns are numbers.

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