The Grammar Of Russian Adjectives

Adjective Inflection In Gender
Adjective Inflection In Plural
Adjective Inflection In Case
Comparative And Superlative
The short form

Russian adjectives are placed before the substantive they describe. Adjectives follow the gender, case and plurality of the substantive.

Adjective Inflection In Gender

The suffix after adjective's stem is -ая or -яя before feminines and -ое or -ее before neuters. The masculine suffix is either -ый or -ий, or -о́й. The last kinds of adjectives are few in numbers but great in frequency as they are some of the most common adjectives in Russian texts. In table below, deviations from -ая, -ый and -ое are marked with grey.

	Common			Exceptions
	Regular Adjectives	Stem ends in г, к, х	Stem ends in ж, ч, ш, щ	Soft stem adjectives	Ending in -о́й
Masculine	красный стул red chair	глубокий рубец deep scar	хороший вопрос good question	синий стул blue chair	большой волк big wolf
Feminine	красная машина red car	глубокая шахта deep mine shaft	хорошая попытка good attempt	синяя машина blue car	большая проблема big problem
Neuter	красное море Red Sea	глубокое замораживание deep-freezing	хорошее решение good solution	синее море blue sea	большое окно big window

Adjective Inflection In Plurality

	Common			Exceptions
	Regular Adjectives	Stem ends in г, к, х	Stem ends in ж, ч, ш, щ	Soft stem adjectives	Ending in -ой
Singular Masculine	красный стул red chair	глубокий рубец deep scar	хороший ответ good anwser	синий стул blue chair	большой волк big wolf
Plural (any and all genders)	красные машины red cars	глубокие шахты deep mine shafts	хорошие вопросы good questions	синие машины blue cars	большие окна big windows

Adjective Inflection In Case

Adjectives are inflected in the same 6 cases as substantives, following the case of the noun.

Regular adjectives:

Case	Suffix	Example	In English
Nominative	-ый (masculine)	Э́то Это is a neutral, singular, nominative form of это {{non-gloss definition\|demonstrative pronoun}}: this, it, that {{non-gloss definition\|neuter form of этот}}: this; compare этот/эта/эти and тот/то/та/те бы́л был is a ERROR form of был kissa по́лный полный is a masculine, singular, nominative form of полный full, complete absolute, perfect stout, chubby успех. успех is a masculine, singular, nominative form of успех success, progress	It was a complete success.
	-ая (feminine)	ка́ждая каждая is a feminine, singular, nominative form of каждый kissa ко́мната комната is a feminine, singular, nominative form of комната room была́ была is a ERROR form of была kissa тща́тельно тщательно is a positive form of тщательно carefully, thoroughly обыскана. обыскана is a past tense, feminine, singular, perfective form of обыскать to search, conduct a search (for houses) to frisk, pat down to rummage to scour	Every room was searched thoroughly.
	-ое (neuter)	молодо́е молодое is a neutral, singular, nominative form of молодой young youthful new поколе́ние поколение is a neutral, singular, nominative form of поколение generation, age смо́трит смотрит is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of смотреть to look, to gaze to see, to watch to view, to review to examine, to inspect to mind на́ на is a requiring accusative form of на onto, on to, toward into, in (duration, value, purpose) for about, for (indicating the duration of an action following the verb; must have perfective aspect and past finite form) on, upon in, at with, for жи́знь жизнь is a feminine, singular, accusative form of жизнь life practice иначе. иначе is a positive form of иначе differently, in a different way; otherwise otherwise, else, or else	The younger generation looks at things differently.
	-ые (plural)	У У is a requiring genitive form of у at, by, near in the possession of (used to express "to have") вас вас is a 2nd person, plural, genitive form of вас kissa руки руки is a plural, nominative form of рука hand arm чистые? чистые is a plural, nominative form of чистый clean, tidy clean, clear, pure	Are your hands clean?
Genitive	-ого (m.)	Мы Мы is a 1st person, plural, nominative form of мы {{gloss\|only when used with с#Russian\|с}} I ра́зного разного is a masculine, singular, genitive form of разный different, diverse, unlike various, varied роста. роста is a masculine, singular, genitive form of рост growth (in a living organism) growth, increase, rise (in a quantity, price, etc.) height, stature Он Он is a 3rd person, masculine, singular, nominative form of он third-person masculine singular pronoun: he, it. вы́ше выше is a comparative form of высоко kissa меня. меня is a 1st person, singular, genitive form of меня me (accusative case\|accusative and genitive case of '''я').	We are different heights. He is taller than me.
	-ой (f.)	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) страдаю страдаю is a present tense, 1st person, singular, imperfective form of страдать to suffer to be subject to to be poor ''of quality'' от от is a requiring genitive form of от from since си́льной сильной is a feminine, singular, genitive form of сильный strong, powerful (grammar) irregular простуды. простуды is a feminine, singular, genitive form of простуда cold, chill (illness)	I am suffering from a bad cold.
	-ого (n.)	Э́тот Этот is a masculine, singular, nominative form of этот this, these it this one that бриллиа́нт бриллиант is a masculine, singular, nominative form of бриллиант (cut) diamond сто́ит стоит is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of стоить to cost to be worth to deserve це́лого целого is a neutral, singular, genitive form of целый whole, entire intact, safe integer состояния. состояния is a neutral, singular, genitive form of состояние state, status, condition fortune, capital, bankroll	This diamond costs a fortune.
	-ых (pl.)	Гла́за Глаза is a plural, nominative form of глаз eye eyesight view, opinion должны должны is a short nominative form of должный due; required бы́ть быть is a ERROR form of быть kissa защищены защищены is a past tense, ERROR, plural, perfective form of защитить defend, guard, protect speak in support (of), stand up for, support, vindicate, advocate ''in a court of law'' defend, plead for ''thesis, diploma'' uphold, defend от от is a requiring genitive form of от from since попада́ния попадания is a neutral, singular, genitive form of попадание hit прямы́х прямых is a plural, genitive form of прямой straight direct straightforward (trains) through downright outspoken, frank со́лнечных солнечных is a plural, genitive form of солнечный solar, sun (of or pertaining to the sun) sunny лучей. лучей is a plural, genitive form of луч ray, beam (anatomy) radius bone	You should protect your eyes from direct sunlight.
Feminine accusative	-ую (f.)	Думаю, Думаю is a present tense, 1st person, singular, imperfective form of думать to think to believe, to suppose они́ они is a 3rd person, plural, nominative form of они third-person plural pronoun: they. проде́лали проделали is a past tense, ERROR, plural, perfective form of проделать to make (a hole), to break through (a hole) to do (a trick) to carry out (a task; work) хоро́шую хорошую is a feminine, singular, accusative form of хороший good fine, nice pretty, good-looking, handsome работу. работу is a feminine, singular, accusative form of работа work labor, toil assignment, task job, occupation	I think they've done a good job (inanimate).
Feminine accusative	-ую (f.)	Ка́к Как is a ERROR form of как kissa зовут зовут is a present tense, 3rd person, plural, imperfective form of звать to call to invite Вашу Вашу is a feminine, singular, accusative form of ваш your, yours (2nd-person singular formal or 2nd-person plural) ста́ршую старшую is a feminine, singular, accusative form of старший elder, older, senior eldest, oldest higher, highest {{lb\|ru\|substantivized\|in the masculine\|animate}} foreman {{lb\|ru\|substantivized\|in the masculine\|animate}} chief, man in charge {{label\|ru\|substantivized\|in the masculine\|animate\|military}} first (lieutenant) senior (suffix used for names of elders) сестру? сестру is a feminine, singular, accusative form of сестра sister	What's your older sister's (animate) name?
Neuter accusative	-ое (n.)	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) оказа́лся оказался is a past tense, masculine, singular, perfective form of оказаться to turn out, to be found, to prove (to be) to find oneself to be found ''in expressions'' в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per ну́жном нужном is a neutral, singular, prepositional form of нужный necessary, needed ме́сте месте is a neutral, singular, prepositional form of место place#English\|place ({{g\|p}}) region, area site#English\|site, scene job, position piece (of luggage) room#English\|room, space в в is a requiring accusative form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per ну́жное нужное is a neutral, singular, accusative form of нужный necessary, needed время. время is a neutral, singular, accusative form of время time weather (grammar) tense	I was in the right place at the right time (inanimate).
Masculine Accusative	As nominative (inanimate)	То́м Том is a masculine, singular, nominative form of том volume (of a book, magazine or disk) хо́чет хочет is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of хотеть to want, to desire купи́ть купить is a infinitive form of купить to buy, purchase но́вый новый is a masculine, singular, accusative form of новый new novel recent modern смартфон. смартфон is a masculine, singular, accusative form of смартфон kissa	Tom wants to buy a new smartphone (inanimate).
Masculine Accusative	As genitive (animate)	мы мы is a 1st person, plural, nominative form of мы {{gloss\|only when used with с#Russian\|с}} I бегали, бегали is a past tense, ERROR, plural, imperfective form of бегать to run когда́ когда is a ERROR form of когда kissa мы мы is a 1st person, plural, nominative form of мы {{gloss\|only when used with с#Russian\|с}} I уви́дели увидели is a past tense, ERROR, plural, perfective form of увидеть to see, to catch sight of, to notice яростого яростого is a masculine, singular, accusative form of яростого kissa медведя. медведя is a masculine, singular, accusative form of медведь bear male bear (informal) bear (of any bear-like animal) (finance) bear (on a stock market) (figuratively) large and clumsy person {{label\|ru\|criminal\|_\|slang}} safe (see also'' медвежатник)	When we saw an angry bear (animate) we ran.
Plural Accusative	As nominative (inanimate)	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) люблю́ люблю is a present tense, 1st person, singular, imperfective form of любить to love, to like, to be fond of, to grow fond of (more intensely than нравиться) наро́дные народные is a plural, accusative form of народный people's popular popular, folk national public песни. песни is a plural, accusative form of песня song (colloquial) something very good	I like folk songs (inanimate).
Plural Accusative	As genitive (animate)	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) ре́дко редко is a positive form of редко rarely, seldom sparsely встреча́л встречал is a past tense, masculine, singular, imperfective form of встречать to meet, to encounter, to come across to meet, to receive, to welcome таки́х таких is a plural, accusative form of такой (adjectival pronoun) such, suchlike интере́сных интересных is a plural, accusative form of интересный interesting handsome, attractive женщин, женщин is a plural, accusative form of женщина woman ка́к как is a ERROR form of как kissa ты! ты is a 2nd person, singular, nominative form of ты second-person singular, nominative case: you, thou	I rarely meet such an interesting woman (animate) as you!
Dative	-ому (m.)	Доверяя Доверяя is a present tense, ERROR, ERROR, imperfective form of доверять to trust to entrust, trust, charge to trust, believe, give credence ему, ему is a 3rd person, masculine, singular, dative form of ему kissa ты ты is a 2nd person, singular, nominative form of ты second-person singular, nominative case: you, thou подверга́ешь подвергаешь is a present tense, 2nd person, singular, imperfective form of подвергать subject (to), expose (to) себя́ себя is a accusative form of себя (reflexive pronoun) myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves (no nominative case) (reflexive pronoun) oneself большо́му большому is a masculine, singular, dative form of большой big, large, great important grown-up big, outstanding риску. риску is a masculine, singular, dative form of риск risk (possible, usually negative, outcome)	You're running a big risk in trusting him.
	-ой (f.)	Те́ Те is a plural, nominative form of тот that, those the one the other ту́фли туфли is a plural, nominative form of туфля shoe подхо́дят подходят is a present tense, 3rd person, plural, imperfective form of подходить to fit (of an object, to match another object) to come up (to), to approach, to go up (to) to approach to do (for); to suit to arrive, to come к к is a requiring dative form of к to, toward (time): by, for э́той этой is a feminine, singular, dative form of этот this, these it this one that бе́лой белой is a feminine, singular, dative form of белый white light, fair secular white, Caucasian юбке. юбке is a feminine, singular, dative form of юбка skirt woman	Those shoes go well with this white skirt.
	-ому (n.)	Пойдёмте-ка Пойдемте is a masculine, singular, nominative form of пойдемте-ка kissa к к is a requiring dative form of к to, toward (time): by, for э́тому этому is a neutral, singular, dative form of этот this, these it this one that высокому высокому is a neutral, singular, dative form of высокий (long from the bottom to the top) tall (at a significant altitude) high-altitude (greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount) high, great, intense lofty, elevated unselfish, noble high-ranking approving, favorable, good (having a high frequency) high-pitched дереву. дереву is a neutral, singular, dative form of дерево tree wood (only ''singular)	Let's head for that tall tree.
	-ым (pl.)	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) живу живу is a present tense, 1st person, singular, imperfective form of жить to live to reside по по is a requiring dative form of по {{non-gloss definition\|with accusative case}} {{non-gloss definition\|with dative case}} {{non-gloss definition\|with prepositional case}} со́бственным собственным is a plural, dative form of собственный one's own, peculiar, proper eigen- (mathematics) правилам. правилам is a plural, dative form of правило rule rule, regulations, law, canon rule, method, algorithm rule, principle, habit	I live by my own rules.
Instrumental	-ым (m.)	Мэри Мэри is a feminine, singular, nominative form of мэри kissa беременна беременна is a short nominative form of беременный pregnant (carrying developing offspring within the body) (figurative) filled (with something, usually abstract) {{lb\|ru\|colloquial\|humorous}} pregnant (having a profusion of ideas) вторы́м вторым is a masculine, singular, instrumental form of второй second upper ребёнком. ребенком is a masculine, singular, instrumental form of ребёнок {{qualifier\|plural {{lang\|ru\|де́ти}}, less commonly {{lang\|ru\|ребя́та}}}} child, kid, baby: children, kids, babies (plural only) {{qualifier\|plural {{lang\|ru\|ребя́та}}}} guys, fellows, friends, comrades	Mary is pregnant with her second child.
	-ой (f.)	Посмо́трите Посмотрите is a imperative, 2nd person, plural, perfective form of посмотреть to look на́ на is a requiring accusative form of на onto, on to, toward into, in (duration, value, purpose) for about, for (indicating the duration of an action following the verb; must have perfective aspect and past finite form) on, upon in, at with, for до́м дом is a masculine, singular, accusative form of дом house (building) home family household с с is a requiring instrumental form of с with (+ instrumental case) from, off, from off, from below (with abstract nouns; nouns entailing a flat, open area; and special exceptions) (+ genitive case) because of, since (expressing a cause of motivation) (+ genitive case) for, about (indefinite time or number) (+ accusative case) (for indicating a duration of time; used in two forms: ''с +genitive по +accusative'' and ''с +genitive до +genitive'') (for time expressions) кра́сной красной is a feminine, singular, instrumental form of красный red (archaic) beautiful крышей. крышей is a feminine, singular, instrumental form of крыша roof (figuratively) house, dwelling place {{label\|ru\|slang\|criminal}} protection {{label\|ru\|slang\|criminal}} someone who provides protection	Look at the house with the red roof.
	-ым (n.)	Аспири́н Аспирин is a masculine, singular, nominative form of аспирин aspirin мо́жет может is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of мочь to be able may служи́ть служить is a infinitive form of служить to serve ''someone or something'' to serve, act, work (as), be to be (something), serve (as) to be used (for), to serve (for), to do (for) to be in use, do one's duty (church) to serve, officiate (dog) sit up and beg бы́стрым быстрым is a neutral, singular, instrumental form of быстрый fast, quick, speedy, rapid облегче́нием облегчением is a neutral, singular, instrumental form of облегчение relief, alleviation, easement головно́й головной is a feminine, singular, genitive form of головной Of or pertaining to the head Main, principle (same as главный) боли. боли is a feminine, singular, genitive form of боль pain, ache pang, stab, stitch	Aspirin serves as a quick relief for a headache.
	-ыми (pl.)	О́чень Очень is a positive form of очень very, much, very much ча́сто часто is a positive form of часто frequently, often close, thickly в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per америка́нских американских is a plural, prepositional form of американский American видеоиграх видеоиграх is a plural, prepositional form of видеоигра video game (game controlled by a software) ру́сских русских is a plural, genitive form of русских kissa пока́зывают показывают is a present tense, 3rd person, plural, imperfective form of показывать to show to display, reveal to achieve (some result) to show, register, read to point (at) to depose, testify, give evidence гла́вными главными is a plural, instrumental form of главный chief, leading, main principal central, head, senior core злодеями. злодеями is a plural, instrumental form of злодеями kissa	In American video games Russians are often being shown as the main villains.
Prepositional	-ом (m.)	То́м Том is a masculine, singular, nominative form of том volume (of a book, magazine or disk) в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per про́шлом прошлом is a masculine, singular, prepositional form of прошлый last, past former ме́сяце месяце is a masculine, singular, prepositional form of месяц month moon (especially, a crescent moon) ушёл ушел is a past tense, masculine, singular, perfective form of уйти to leave, to depart, to go (away) (by foot) to escape, to evade to resign, to retire to be lost to fail to sink, to plunge to be spent с с is a requiring genitive form of с with (+ instrumental case) from, off, from off, from below (with abstract nouns; nouns entailing a flat, open area; and special exceptions) (+ genitive case) because of, since (expressing a cause of motivation) (+ genitive case) for, about (indefinite time or number) (+ accusative case) (for indicating a duration of time; used in two forms: ''с +genitive по +accusative'' and ''с +genitive до +genitive'') (for time expressions) работы. работы is a feminine, singular, genitive form of работа work labor, toil assignment, task job, occupation	Tom quit his job last month.
	-ой (f.)	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) живу живу is a present tense, 1st person, singular, imperfective form of жить to live to reside в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per маленькой маленькой is a feminine, singular, prepositional form of маленький little, small short trifling, petty квартире. квартире is a feminine, singular, prepositional form of квартира apartment, flat quarters	I live in a small apartment.
	-ом (n.)	До́ка Дока is a feminine, singular, nominative form of дока (colloquial) expert, authority, pundit во во is a requiring prepositional form of во (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on все́х всех is a plural, prepositional form of весь all, the whole, the whole of everything, all everybody, everyone ремёслах - ремеслах is a plural, prepositional form of ремеслах kissa ма́стер мастер is a masculine, singular, nominative form of мастер master, craftsman, expert foreman repairman в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per никаком. никаком is a masculine, singular, prepositional form of никаком kissa	Jack of all trades is a master of none.
	-ых (pl.)	Све́дения Сведения is a plural, nominative form of сведение (usually in plural form) information, intelligence (usually in plural form) notice, knowledge о о is a requiring prepositional form of о (+ prepositional case): about, of, on (+ accusative case): against, upon вое́нных военных is a plural, prepositional form of военный military, war martial де́йствиях действиях is a plural, prepositional form of действие action, activity effect, efficacy influence, impact {{label\|ru\|military\|engineering\|mathematics}} operation (theater) act держа́лись держались is a past tense, ERROR, plural, imperfective form of держаться to hold on to hold (by, to), stick (to) to conduct / comport oneself, behave to keep, to stick (to) to hold out, stand firm; hold one's ground, {{g\|pf}} - {{l\|ru\|продержаться}} to restrain oneself, bear up to last, {{g\|pf}} - {{l\|ru\|продержаться}} {{passive of\|держа́ть\|lang=ru}} - be held up (by), be supported (by) в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per секрете. секрете is a masculine, singular, prepositional form of секрет secret	They kept the information about the military operations a secret.

For irregularly inflected adjectives, the case inflection is presented in the case pages.

Comparative And Superlative

Russian adjectives have three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative (more-form) and superlative (the most-form.) In addition there is наи-prefix for emphasizing superlative ("the most of all").

The most common adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms like the English "good better best". Comparative and superlative forms are easy to identify when reading, but when writing but you usually need a dictionary to check the exact form.

Form	Marker	Example	In English
Positive	длинный красивый
Comparative	длиннее	Когда́ Когда is a ERROR form of когда kissa прихо́дит приходит is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of приходить to come (to), to arrive (at) (place, conclusion, state of abandonment, anger, insanity) весна, весна is a feminine, singular, nominative form of весна spring (season) дни дни is a plural, nominative form of день day, daytime afternoon стано́вятся становятся is a present tense, 3rd person, plural, imperfective form of становиться to stand, take a stand to get, become, grow все все is a particle. A form of все kissa длиннее длиннее is a comparative form of длинный long, lengthy {{label\|ru\|colloquial\|ironic}} (when talking about a person) tall, lanky и и is a ERROR form of и kissa длиннее. длиннее is a comparative form of длинный long, lengthy {{label\|ru\|colloquial\|ironic}} (when talking about a person) tall, lanky	When spring comes, the days get longer by the day.
Comparative	красивей	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) знаю, знаю is a present tense, 1st person, singular, imperfective form of знать to know: to be familiar with or accustomed to a person, place, or thing to know: to be in possession of a specific fact or datum что́ что is a ERROR form of что kissa Мэри Мэри is a feminine, singular, nominative form of мэри kissa красивей красивей is a imperative, 2nd person, singular, perfective form of красивей kissa меня. меня is a 1st person, singular, accusative form of меня me (accusative case\|accusative and genitive case of '''я').	I know that Maria is prettier than me.
Superlative -ей -чай -жай	длиннейший	Река́ Река is a feminine, singular, nominative form of река river, stream Амазонка - Амазонка is a masculine, singular, genitive form of амазонка (mythology) Amazon (equestrian) horsewoman (dress) riding habit длинне́йшая длиннейшая is a past tense, feminine, singular, imperfective form of длиннейшая kissa в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per мире. мире is a masculine, singular, prepositional form of мир {{label\|ru\|usually\|uncountable}} peace universe; world; planet	Amazon is the longest river in the world.
	наидлиннейший	наидлиннейшая наидлиннейшая is a past tense, feminine, singular, imperfective form of наидлиннейшая kissa о́бщая общая is a feminine, singular, nominative form of общий general common public total, whole (grammar) common подпоследовательность подпоследовательность is a feminine, singular, nominative form of подпоследовательность kissa	the longest common subsequence
	глубочайший	Я Я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) принёс принес is a past tense, masculine, singular, perfective form of принести to bring, fetch ((transitive) to transport toward somebody/somewhere) to yield, bear to offer (apologies, thanks, etc.) глубоча́йшие глубочайшие is a superlative form of глубокий deep, profound извинения. извинения is a plural, accusative form of извинение pardon, apology, excuse, regret	I apologized profusely (deeply.)
	наиярчайший	Солнце - Солнце is a neutral, singular, nominative form of солнце sun наиярчайшая наиярчайшая is a feminine, singular, nominative form of яркий bright звезда. звезда is a feminine, singular, nominative form of звезда (astronomy) star (celestial body) star (celebrity) (geometry) star (geometric shape) (mechanics) spider	The sun is the brightest star.

As a fallback you can form all degrees of comparison with separate words (more, most, less, least). You get the message across with these in all situations, but they are stylistically clumsy if your adjective does have proper lexical comparative and superlative forms.

Form	Marker	Example	In English
Positive
Comparative	более (more)	Нам Нам is a 1st person, plural, dative form of нам kissa нужно нужно is a short nominative form of нужный necessary, needed обсудить обсудить is a infinitive form of обсудить discuss, consider, talk over бо́лее более is a comparative form of более more more than (+ genitive case) ва́жные важные is a plural, accusative form of важный weighty, important вещи. вещи is a plural, accusative form of вещь thing things, belongings, goods, stuff	We have more important things we need to discuss.
Comparative	менее (less)	Подо́бные Подобные is a plural, nominative form of подобный similar like, such as руково́дства руководства is a plural, nominative form of руководство leadership, guidance instruction textbook, guide сле́дует следует is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of следовать follow, go after follow, be next follow, take after follow, do accordingly be bound to (a port) follow, be a consequence should, ought to (the agent who/which should, ought to do something is an object) писа́ть писать is a infinitive form of писать to write (literary) to paint (a painting) ме́нее менее is a comparative form of менее less сло́жным сложным is a masculine, singular, instrumental form of сложный complex, compound complicated, intricate языком. языком is a masculine, singular, instrumental form of язык (inanimate) tongue (inanimate) language (inanimate) speech {{label\|ru\|animate\|military\|slang}} prisoner for interrogation, canary, informer (inanimate) clapper (of a bell)	Such manuals should be written in simpler language.
Superlative	самый (the most) Inflected like an adjective	Думаю, Думаю is a present tense, 1st person, singular, imperfective form of думать to think to believe, to suppose э́то это is a neutral, singular, nominative form of это {{non-gloss definition\|demonstrative pronoun}}: this, it, that {{non-gloss definition\|neuter form of этот}}: this; compare этот/эта/эти and тот/то/та/те са́мый самый is a masculine, singular, nominative form of самый kissa лу́чший лучший is a masculine, singular, nominative form of хороший good fine, nice pretty, good-looking, handsome ответ. ответ is a masculine, singular, nominative form of ответ answer, reply, response responsibility	I think that's the best answer.
	наиболее (most)	Газе́та Газета is a feminine, singular, nominative form of газета newspaper публику́ет публикует is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of публиковать to publish, issue наибо́лее наиболее is a positive form of наиболее (superlative) the most, above all, most of all ва́жные важные is a plural, accusative form of важный weighty, important факты. факты is a plural, accusative form of факт fact fait accompli	The newspaper publishes the most important facts.
	наименее (least)	В В is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per 1950-х 1950-х is a plural, prepositional form of 1950-й kissa писалось, писалось is a past tense, neutral, singular, imperfective form of писаться {{passive of\|писа́ть\|lang=ru}} to spell, be spelt; be spelled что́ что is a ERROR form of что kissa в в is a requiring prepositional form of в (location) in, at, on (+ prepositional case) (direction) to, into (+ accusative case) (time) at, in, on per ми́ре мире is a masculine, singular, prepositional form of мир {{label\|ru\|usually\|uncountable}} peace universe; world; planet дие́та диета is a feminine, singular, nominative form of диета diet финнов - финнов is a plural, genitive form of финн Finn (male person from Finland) одна́ одна is a nominative form of одна kissa из из is a ERROR form of из from out of of, through наиме́нее наименее is a positive form of наименее (superlative) the least, least of all полезных. полезных is a plural, genitive form of полезный useful, helpful, good (having a practical or beneficial use) wholesome usable	In the 1950's, the Finns were cited as having one of the least healthy diets in the world.

Самый is inflected like a regular adjective, while the other comparison words are uninflected.

As A Narcissist, I Am The Best Of All And Definitely Better Than You

Often comparative compares a base object to a target of comparison. There are two construction to do this. Чем + nominative acts the same way as the English than-clause.

Tom is usually much busier than Mary. (tatoeba.org)

Tom is more than just a neighbor. (tatoeba.org)

Tom says he feels much better today than yesterday. (tatoeba.org)

In very simple comparisons, the target of comparison can be in genitive.

Mary is more experienced than I am. (tatoeba.org)

Tom often sleeps more than eight hours. (tatoeba.org)

I had no more than five dollars. (tatoeba.org)

Tom is taller than anyone else in this department. (tatoeba.org)

In superlative, the reference group is expressed with many different constructions: Relative pronouns ("The best, which I've seen..."), location expressions ("the best in the world") or reference group ("the best out of ten")

You are the most beautiful woman, which I've ever held in my arms. (tatoeba.org)

She was the most beautiful woman in the whole kingdom. (tatoeba.org)

Tom is the richest of us. (tatoeba.org)

The Short Form

The short forms are used only in nominative case when the adjective serves as a predicative expression. Predicative sentences have "to be" as their verb. For example if we say "The car is blue", then "The car" is the subject and "blue" is a predicative expression. In Russian predicative expressions, "to be" verb is omitted in present form ("The car is blue") but present in other tenses ("The car was blue" or "The car will be blue".)

The car is black.

The car was red before they painted it.

The car will be silvery after they paint it.

Note that many predicative expressions use non-nominative forms. Short for is only for nominative.

They elected him to be the new president. (Predicative expression in instrumental.)

The snake was in the red bag. (Predicative expression in prepositional.)

Name	Suffix	Example Sentence	In English
Masculine nominative	красивый
Short form: Masculine	красив	Она́ Она is a 3rd person, feminine, singular, nominative form of она third-person feminine singular pronoun: she, it. third-person feminine singular objective pronoun: her, it. понимала, понимала is a past tense, feminine, singular, imperfective form of понимать to understand, to comprehend, to see to realize, to appreciate что́ что is a ERROR form of что kissa он он is a 3rd person, masculine, singular, nominative form of он third-person masculine singular pronoun: he, it. прав. прав is a short nominative form of правый right, right-hand (nautical) starboard right-wing right, correct righteous	She understood that he was right.
Short form: Feminine	красива	Она́ Она is a 3rd person, feminine, singular, nominative form of она third-person feminine singular pronoun: she, it. third-person feminine singular objective pronoun: her, it. ещё еще is a positive form of еще kissa доста́точно достаточно is a positive form of достаточно enough, sufficiently молода, молода is a masculine, singular, genitive form of молода kissa чтобы чтобы is a ERROR form of чтобы kissa рожа́ть рожать is a infinitive form of рожать give birth, bear сыновей. сыновей is a plural, accusative form of сын son child (poetic plural):'' sons	She is still young enough to bear children.
Short form: Neuter	красиво	Окно́ Окно is a neutral, singular, nominative form of окно window бы́л был is a ERROR form of был kissa откры́то открыто is a past tense, neutral, singular, perfective form of открыть to open to turn on to discover to disclose to reveal to unveil to inaugurate и и is a ERROR form of и kissa пти́ца птица is a feminine, singular, nominative form of птица bird прилетела. прилетела is a past tense, feminine, singular, perfective form of прилететь to fly (here), to arrive (by flying)	The window was open and a bird flew in.
Short form: Plural	красивы	Худо́жником Художником is a masculine, singular, instrumental form of художник artist, painter созданы созданы is a past tense, ERROR, plural, perfective form of создать to create to found, to originate to set up, to establish три три is a nominative form of три kissa произведения. произведения is a neutral, singular, genitive form of произведение creation work of art, work (a literary, artistic, or intellectual production) (mathematics) product	Three works were created by the artist.

If the adjective stem ends in two consonants, -о / -е is placed between the consonants in the short masculine form.

Name	Suffix	Example Sentence	In English
Masculine nominative	длинный
Short form: Masculine	длинен	Мо́й Мой is a masculine, singular, nominative form of мой (possessive pronoun) my, mine во́лос волос is a masculine, singular, nominative form of волос (anatomy) a hair бы́л был is a ERROR form of был kissa длинен, длинен is a past tense, masculine, singular, perfective form of длинен kissa когда́ когда is a ERROR form of когда kissa я я is a 1st person, singular, nominative form of я {{l\|en\|I}} (first-person singular subject pronoun) слу́шал слушал is a past tense, masculine, singular, imperfective form of слушать to listen, to listen to (+ accusative) to attend (medicine) to auscultate метал. метал is a masculine, singular, accusative form of метал kissa	My hair used to be long when I still listened to metal.
Short form: Feminine	длинна	Сосна́ Сосна is a feminine, singular, nominative form of сосна pine, pine tree pine wood сли́шком слишком is a positive form of слишком too (more than enough), too much длинна, длинна is a short nominative form of длинный long, lengthy {{label\|ru\|colloquial\|ironic}} (when talking about a person) tall, lanky поэ́тому поэтому is a positive form of поэтому therefore, that is why он он is a 3rd person, masculine, singular, nominative form of он third-person masculine singular pronoun: he, it. повали́л повалил is a past tense, masculine, singular, perfective form of повалить to bring down, to topple, to overthrow её. ее is a 3rd person, feminine, singular, accusative form of ее {{ru-alt-ё\|её}}	The pine was too tall, therefore he felled it.
Short form: Neuter	длинно	Теперь расстояние достаточно длинно, чтобы ничего услушает твои крики.	Now we're far enough that nobody will hear you screams.
Short form: Plural	длинны	Его́ его kissa ле́кции лекции is a plural, nominative form of лекция lecture, conference о́чень очень is a positive form of очень very, much, very much длинны. длинны is a short nominative form of длинный long, lengthy {{label\|ru\|colloquial\|ironic}} (when talking about a person) tall, lanky	His lectures are very long.

Name	Suffix	Example Sentence	In English
Masculine nominative	короткий
Short form: Masculine	короток	Интерва́л Интервал is a past tense, masculine, singular, imperfective form of интервал kissa о́чень очень is a positive form of очень very, much, very much короток, короток is a masculine, singular, accusative form of короток kissa у у is a ERROR form of у at, by, near in the possession of (used to express "to have") на́ на onto, on to, toward into, in (duration, value, purpose) for about, for (indicating the duration of an action following the verb; must have perfective aspect and past finite form) on, upon in, at with, for нет нет is a present tense, 3rd person, singular, imperfective form of нет there is no, there are no (+ ''genitive) времен времен is a plural, genitive form of время time weather (grammar) tense курить. курить is a infinitive form of курить to smoke (tobacco etc.) to burn, fumigate to distil	The pause is very short, we don't have time to smoke.
Short form: Feminine	коротка	Ка́к Как is a ERROR form of как kissa коротка коротка is a feminine, singular, nominative form of коротка kissa жизнь! жизнь is a feminine, singular, nominative form of жизнь life practice	How short life is!
Short form: Neuter	коротко	Де́рево Дерево is a neutral, singular, nominative form of дерево tree wood (only ''singular) ещё еще is a positive form of еще kissa коротко. коротко is a positive form of коротко shortly, briefly, in brief short, close (length of cut)	The tree is still short.
Short form: Plural	коротки	Когда́ Когда is a ERROR form of когда kissa де́ти дети is a plural, nominative form of ребёнок {{qualifier\|plural {{lang\|ru\|де́ти}}, less commonly {{lang\|ru\|ребя́та}}}} child, kid, baby: children, kids, babies (plural only) {{qualifier\|plural {{lang\|ru\|ребя́та}}}} guys, fellows, friends, comrades коротки, коротки is a feminine, singular, genitive form of коротки kissa они́ они is a 3rd person, plural, nominative form of они third-person plural pronoun: they. постоя́нно постоянно is a positive form of постоянно constantly, always выраста́ют вырастают is a present tense, 3rd person, plural, imperfective form of вырастать to grow, increase to arise, appear, rise up, sprout из из is a ERROR form of из from out of of, through их их kissa одежд. одежд is a plural, instrumental form of одежд kissa	When children are short they grow out of their clothes all the time.

Russian Adjectives

Parts of Speech

Noun Cases

Themes

Vocabulary