Comparative in Arabic
Just as in English we have big → bigger → biggest or large → larger → largest, Arabic also has an equivalent sequence consisting of the base form, the comparative, and the superlative.
The pattern to form both the comparative and the superlative is:
أَفْعَل → ‘a(1)(2)a(3)
(where the root consonants replace 1, 2, and 3).
Let’s look at some examples:
As you can see, when ي (yaa’) or و (waaw) appear in the middle of the root, the comparative form treats them as regular consonants.
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If the initial consonant of the root is ي or و, the comparative form keeps them.
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If the second or third consonant of the root is doubled (like in قليل – qalil), then the pattern changes slightly into أفَلّ (‘a(1)a(2)(2)).
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There is also the pattern أفعى (‘a(1)(2)a) for certain words, such as:
Keep in mind that comparatives in Arabic do not change for gender, number, or definiteness. They only agree in case.
When comparing two things, the preposition من (min) is used, similar to “than” in English.
Examples:
Ahmad is taller than Aly.
→ أحمد أطول من علي (Ahmad aTwal min Aly).The coffee here is better than there.
→ القهوة هنا أحسن من هناك (al qahwa huna ahsan min hunak).
However, sometimes من (min) can be omitted, especially when the meaning of comparison is clear in context.
Examples:
The students began a deeper journey into research.
→ بدأ الطلابُ رحلةً أعمقَ في البحث (bada’a al Tullabu rihlatan ‘amaqa fi l bahith).The company has achieved greater success in the market.
→ حققت الشركةُ نَجاحًا أكبر في السوق (haqqaqat ash sharikatu najahan ‘akbara fi l suq).
