Week 31, Lesson 61, Thursday
Compare two things
To compare in Russian, add -ее to the adjective and put чем before the second thing. Six common words break the rule, and they are the ones you need most.
1Recap 5 minutes
Three questions from Week 30, before anything new.
2Goal 1 minute
I can compare two things and say which is the cheapest, the best or the most comfortable.
3The lesson 20 minutes
In this lesson
- Cheaper, better, more comfortable
- Than, and the most
Cheaper, better, more comfortable
Two price tags. Which is cheaper?
| Adjective | Comparative |
|---|---|
| красивый | красивее |
| удобный | удобнее |
| тёплый | теплее |
| дешёвый | дешевле |
| дорогой | дороже |
| хороший | лучше |
| плохой | хуже |
Regular adjectives add -ее. дешевле, дороже, лучше, хуже, больше, меньше are irregular. The comparative never changes its ending.
Than, and the most
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Эта куртка дешевле, чем та. | This jacket is cheaper than that one. |
| Метро быстрее, чем автобус. | The metro is faster than the bus. |
| самая дешёвая куртка | the cheapest jacket |
| самый лучший магазин | the very best shop |
самый agrees with the noun, like any adjective.

4Listen and say 5 minutes
Sound of the lesson: -ее
Regular comparatives end in a stressed or unstressed -ее: краси́вее, тепле́е.
- краси́вее [kra-SI-vi-ye] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
- тепле́е [tip-LYE-ye] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
5Phrases and words 5 minutes
Phrases to learn whole
Learn each one as a single unit, the way you would learn a word. They come back in your Daily 10.
- … деше́вле, чем …… cheaper than …
- са́мый лу́чшийthe very best
- Что лу́чше?Which is better?
Words to read aloud
Read each one aloud, then open it to check.
деше́вле, доро́же
cheaper, more expensive
лу́чше, ху́же
better, worse
бо́льше, ме́ньше
bigger, smaller; more, less
краси́вее
удо́бнее
more comfortable
Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)тепле́е
са́мый, са́мая
the most …
6Class exercises 15 minutes
Checked instantly. Get one wrong and you can try it again.
Role-play
Take one card each. Swap roles for a second round.
You
- Compare two cities, two cafés or two phones.
Ника
- Disagree with one comparison and say why.
7Your turn 5 minutes
Compare two things you own.
See a model answer
Мой новый телефон лучше, чем старый. Он больше и удобнее.
Saved as you type. It goes to Ника together with Homework 61.
8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass
9Feedback 5 minutes
10Check your goal 1 minute
I can compare two things and say which is the cheapest, the best or the most comfortable.
Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.
11Homework
Homework 61 on Saturday: comparing.
I can compare two things and say which is the cheapest, the best or the most comfortable.