"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.
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).