Making comparisons
Russian has two ways to form comparatives — a compact one-word form and a longer two-word form. Both are common; the compact form is more conversational. Superlatives ('the most…') usually use самый before the adjective.
Comparative — the compact form
Take the adjective stem and add -ее (or -ей colloquially). The result is invariable — same form for any gender or number. - большой → больше (bigger) - маленький → меньше (smaller) - хороший → лучше (better) - плохой → хуже (worse) - интересный → интереснее (more interesting) - трудный → труднее (harder) Many are irregular — memorize the common ones.
Using 'than'
Two options: 1. чем + nominative: Москва больше, чем Санкт-Петербург = Moscow is bigger than Saint Petersburg. 2. Genitive with no preposition: Москва больше Санкт-Петербурга. Both are correct; option 2 is more compact, option 1 is foolproof.
Comparative — the long form
Use более (more) or менее (less) + the regular adjective: - более интересный = more interesting - менее трудный = less difficult The adjective still agrees in gender/number/case as normal. This form sounds slightly more formal.
Superlative — 'the most'
Most common: самый + adjective. Самый agrees in gender/number/case with the noun. - самый большой дом = the biggest house - самая интересная книга = the most interesting book - самые хорошие друзья = the best friends A few adjectives have one-word superlatives (лучший = the best, худший = the worst), used in formal/written Russian.
