Comparison in Hungarian

Overview

Hungarian comparison follows a simple and regular pattern: the comparative is formed with the suffix -bb (or -abb/-ebb/-obb after consonants), and the superlative adds the prefix leg- to the comparative. While the basic system is straightforward, a handful of very common adjectives have irregular comparative forms that must be memorized.

At the CEFR B1 level, learners need the comparative for everyday comparisons ("bigger," "more beautiful," "better") and the superlative for expressing extremes ("the biggest," "the best"). The comparison structure with mint (than) and mint alternatives is also essential.

Hungarian comparisons are more compact than English — no separate word like "more" is needed, since the suffix handles everything.

How It Works

Comparative: -bb

Adjective	Comparative	English
nagy (big)	nagyobb	bigger
szép (beautiful)	szebb	more beautiful
magas (tall)	magasabb	taller
gyors (fast)	gyorsabb	faster
könnyű (easy)	könnyebb	easier
drága (expensive)	drágább	more expensive

Superlative: leg- + comparative

Comparative	Superlative	English
nagyobb	legnagyobb	biggest
szebb	legszebb	most beautiful
magasabb	legmagasabb	tallest
jobb	legjobb	best

Irregular Comparatives

Adjective	Comparative	Superlative	English
jó (good)	jobb	legjobb	better/best
rossz (bad)	rosszabb	legrosszabb	worse/worst
sok (many)	több	legtöbb	more/most
kevés (few)	kevesebb	legkevesebb	fewer/fewest
szép (beautiful)	szebb	legszebb	more/most beautiful
könnyű (easy)	könnyebb	legkönnyebb	easier/easiest
kicsi (small)	kisebb	legkisebb	smaller/smallest

Comparison Structures

Structure	Example	English
X -bb mint Y	Péter magasabb, mint Anna.	Péter is taller than Anna.
X -bb Y-nál/-nél	Péter magasabb Annánál.	Péter is taller than Anna.
olyan...mint	Olyan magas, mint Anna.	As tall as Anna.
nem olyan...mint	Nem olyan magas, mint Anna.	Not as tall as Anna.

Examples in Context

Hungarian	English	Note
nagyobb	bigger	regular
a legnagyobb	the biggest	superlative with article
szebb mint	more beautiful than	comparison
jobb → a legjobb	better → the best	irregular
Péter magasabb, mint Anna.	Péter is taller than Anna.	mint comparison
Ez drágább annál.	This is more expensive than that.	-nál comparison
A legjobb film.	The best film.	superlative
Több könyvem van.	I have more books.	irregular comparative
Olyan szép, mint a nővéred.	As beautiful as your sister.	equality
Ez a legkönnyebb feladat.	This is the easiest task.	superlative

Common Mistakes

Using -bb without linking vowel

• Wrong: magasbb
• Right: magasabb
• Why: Consonant-final adjectives need a linking vowel before -bb, following vowel harmony.

Forgetting leg- for superlative

• Wrong: a nagyobb (meaning "the biggest")
• Right: a legnagyobb
• Why: The superlative requires the leg- prefix. Without it, you only have the comparative.

Using mint twice

• Wrong: Magasabb mint Annánál.
• Right: Magasabb, mint Anna. OR Magasabb Annánál.
• Why: Use either mint + nominative or -nál/-nél, not both.

Usage Notes

Both comparison strategies (mint + nominative and -nál/-nél) are common and correct. The mint construction is slightly more common in speech. In writing, both appear equally.

The superlative always takes the definite article in Hungarian: a legjobb (the best), a legnagyobb (the biggest).

Practice Tips

• Practice comparatives with five common adjectives and use both mint and -nál/-nél structures.
• Memorize the irregular comparatives — they are the most frequently used ones.
• Create superlative sentences about your preferences: A legjobb étel a pizza. A legszebb város Budapest.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Adjective Usage — basic adjective rules