"Big — bigger — biggest." In Finnish that's two degrees: the comparative (komparatiivi) and the superlative (superlatiivi). Both are formed regularly with two suffixes, and there are very few exceptions. Let's see how it works.
In short: comparative = -mpi (isompi — bigger), superlative = -in (isoin — biggest). "Than" is expressed with kuin. The adjective still agrees with its noun and declines by case. For how an adjective agrees with its noun in case and number, see Finnish adjectives.
The comparative (bigger, more beautiful)
Add -mpi to the adjective stem. When it declines, the stem becomes -mma-/-mmä- (isompi → isomman, isompaa).
| Adjective | Comparative |
|---|---|
| iso (big) | isompi (bigger) |
| kaunis (beautiful) | kauniimpi (more beautiful) |
| nopea (fast) | nopeampi (faster) |
| vanha (old) | vanhempi (older) |
"Than" = kuin: Auto on isompi kuin pyörä (a car is bigger than a bike). There's also a version without kuin — with the compared word in the partitive: Auto on pyörää isompi.
The superlative (the most…)
Add -in to the stem. A final -a/-ä often changes or drops: vanha → vanhin, kylmä → kylmin.
| Adjective | Superlative |
|---|---|
| iso | isoin (the biggest) |
| kaunis | kaunein (the most beautiful) |
| nopea | nopein (the fastest) |
| suuri (large) | suurin (the largest) |
Irregular degrees
There are only a few, but they're frequent — just learn them:
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| hyvä (good) | parempi (better) | paras (best) |
| pitkä (long) | pidempi (longer) | pisin (longest) |
| uusi (new) | uudempi (newer) | uusin (newest) |
| paljon (much) | enemmän (more) | eniten (most) |
Adverbs compare too
Adverbs take -mmin for the comparative and -immin for the superlative: nopeasti → nopeammin → nopeimmin (fast → faster → fastest). Irregular: hyvin → paremmin → parhaiten (well → better → best).
How to remember
- Keep the anchor: -mpi = comparative, -in = superlative.
- Memorise the handful of irregulars (hyvä–parempi–paras, pitkä–pidempi–pisin) — the rest is regular.
- Don't forget kuin for "than", and that the adjective declines with its noun.
For how this fits a full learning path, see How long does it take to learn Finnish?.
FAQ
How is the comparative formed in Finnish?
Add -mpi to the adjective stem: iso → isompi (bigger), kaunis → kauniimpi, nopea → nopeampi. When it declines the stem becomes -mma-/-mmä- (isompi → isomman).
How is the superlative formed?
Add -in to the stem: iso → isoin (the biggest), kaunis → kaunein, suuri → suurin. A final -a/-ä often changes or drops: vanha → vanhin.
How do you say "than" when comparing?
With kuin: Auto on isompi kuin pyörä (a car is bigger than a bike). There's also a version without kuin — with the compared word in the partitive: Auto on pyörää isompi.
Which comparison forms are irregular?
The frequent ones: hyvä → parempi → paras (good–better–best), pitkä → pidempi → pisin, uusi → uudempi → uusin, paljon → enemmän → eniten.
How do you compare adverbs?
Comparative -mmin, superlative -immin: nopeasti → nopeammin → nopeimmin. Irregular: hyvin → paremmin → parhaiten (well–better–best).