Adjectives

Adjectives are words, which describe nouns.  They are a modifier.  They characterise the nouns.  If it is used as a modifier, namely, if it is standing with the noun, it agrees with the noun for case, number and gender.  If it stands alone, it is possible that the adjective would have a different function in the sentence and thus it will have a different case.  However, the gender of the adjective will remain the same as that of the noun.

NUMBER OF ADJECTIVES

The number of the adjective almost always is the same as the number of the noun.  Usually they are either both singular or both plural.  Sometimes two adjectives are placed adjacent to a noun with the in the intention of there are two different nouns.  If you take “λeθ grýneθ néeθ Háuσeθ” (the green new houses) as an example, both adjectives describe the same house.  The number of the article, adjectives and noun is plural because the noun is in the plural number.  In the example, “λoθ Eσπanióλo ce Aμeρiκáno Πρesidéntoθ” (the British and American presidents,) the number of the article and the noun is plural.  The adjectives are singular because they refer to two different presidents.

ADJECTIVES USED AS NOUNS

Many adjectives can function as nouns. When used this way, the adjective is treated as a noun. It is capitalised and declined as per usual. The gender of the noun formed is always the biological gender. For example, Бóno means good, while Бóno means "good man" and Бóna means “good woman” and Бóne means “goodness, good thing.” Masculine and feminine nouns of this kind usually refer to men and women respectively, while neuter nouns refer to abstract nouns.

DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES

These kind or adjectives are used to give special emphasis to the nouns they modify.  They are also used as pronouns.  They agree with gender, number, and case of the noun. They are used with áκui (here) or λá (there) to mean "this/those" and "that/those" respectively. Áκui (here) and λá (there) follow the noun they modify; if an adjective doesn't follow it. If adjectives follow the noun; these words follow the last adjective. The demonstrative adjectives are dэζo (this/that); eκъíno (that); eκκuésτo (this: near the speaker); κondéστo (that there: near the one spoken to); and κuéλo (that over there-further than κondéστo: remoteness from the speaker and one spoken to).

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE OF ADJECTIVES

There are two ways of forming the comparative and superlative of adjectives. Either way is equally acceptable. To strengthen the character of the comparativeness or superlativeness, merge the two types together as "πλuς κoλdéτeρo" for the adjective "κóλdo." The table below showing all the forms of the comparative and relative superlative is of the adjective "κóλdo."

When two or more adjectives, modifying a noun, are in the comparative or relative superlative and type 1 construction is used, the words πλuς and μínoς must be repeated with each adjective.  For example, “λa πλuς oρéa λa πλuς óμoρφa Πóρτa” means the nicest most beautiful door.  Notice that the definite article is also repeated because it is part of the construction.

ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE

The superlative, in the table above, is called the "relative superlative." The absolute superlative is a form of adjectives which intensifies the meaning of the adjective (i.e. very____ or extremely ____). It is formed by the addition of the suffix "-íσiμo."

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