Ch 3 · Lesson 20Esperanto · Chapter 3 · Lesson 20 · Grammar primer
Less, and why very is not most
is less good, is worse. And always ranks: very beautiful is or , never .
The short version
and are not the same claim
,
Why?Hide
Mal- gives you the downward direction twice over, and the two are worth keeping apart. is less good, which leaves room for the thing still being decent. is worse, which tends to suggest it is bad. Everyday speech prefers and ; is what you reach for when you are being careful about degree. Note also that ranks against a set, so very beautiful is or .
Less: malpli, and what mal- does here
is less, and it takes like :
.- This book is less interesting than that one.
- can also go on the adjective. Both places are correct, and they are not quite the same claim:
| Form | Literally | The claim |
|---|---|---|
| less big | ranks it lower on size |
| smaller | the everyday choice |
| less good | it may still be decent |
| worse | tends to suggest it is bad |
With size the difference is small. With goodness it is real: the first is the diplomatic one, the second the blunt one.
The least is , and - is also common:
.- That is the least important matter..- That is the least important matter.
Very is not most
English most does two jobs: the most beautiful house ranks it, a most agreeable evening just means very. does only the first.
- belabeautiful
- tre belavery beautiful
- belegagorgeous
- treege belaextremely beautiful
.- She is very beautiful..- She is gorgeous..- She is the most beautiful (of them).
Set phrases such as (with the greatest pleasure) drop the , but still means most there.
Going further: pli and plej and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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