第二十六章

This chapter we want to look at comparative and superlative adjectives.  In English we have two ways of translating both a comparative and superlative adjective.  For the comparative we can use the word more plus the adjective or add “er” to the adjective.  For the superlative, we may use most or add “est” to the adjective.  However, at no time are you to use both forms together.

本章要學的是形容詞的比較級和最高級（comparative and superlative adjectives）。

In Latin, when you learn an adjective you are given the base form of the adjective.  If we go to the genitive and drop its singular ending, we have the stem of the adjective.  To this stem we may add “ior” for the masculine and feminine or “ius” for the neuter of the comparative adjective.  Subsequently, the adjective will be declined in the third declension.

拉丁文的形容詞比較級形成法：

1.取形容詞的根式（the base form of the adjective）：此為所有格去其單數字尾。

2 形容詞的根式加上“ior”為陽性和陰性的比較級形容詞，加上“ius”為中性的比較級形容詞。因之，此處形容詞依第三類變化群的規則而變化。

例：Longus longa longum 的根式 (Base Adjective)為long

        比較級則為Longior longius (longer or more long)

        請參照下表：

E.G.

   Base Adjective

Longus longa longum = long

Comparative Adjective

Longior longius longer or more long

            M & F                                                             N

Nom:    longior             longiores                                   longius              longiora

Gen:     longioris            longiorum                                 longioris            longiorum

Dat:      longiori longioribus                                longiori longioribus

Acc:     longiorem         longiores                                   longius              longiora

Abl:      longiore            longioribus                                longiore            longioribus

For the Superlative, again you go to the base of the adjective but this time add “issimus” and decline the adjective in the first and second declension.

形容詞最高級形成法：取形容詞的根式加上“issimus” 形成形容詞最高級。於此，依照第一類及第二類變化群的規則而變化。

Superlative Adjective

例：Longus longa longum 的根式 (Base Adjective)為long

        最高級則為Longissimus logissima longissimum (longest or most long)

        請參照下表：

Longissimus logissima longissimum  longest or most long

Nom:    longissimus                   longissima                     longissimum

Gen:     longissimi                      longissimae                   longissimi

Dat:      longissimo                     longissimae                   longissimo

Acc:     longissimum                  longissimam                  longissimum

Abl       longissimo                     longissima                     longissimo

Nom:    longissimi                      longissimae                   longissima

Gen:     longissimorum   longissimarum               longissimorum

Dat:      longissimis                    longissimis                    longissimis

Acc:     longissimos                   longissimas                   longissima

Abl       longissimis                    longissimis                    longissimis

As a footnote, if the Latin word “quam” follows a comparative, treat it as the conjunction than.  E.G. These books are more famous than those.  Hic libri sunt clariores quam illi.

註：拉丁文中，比較級形容詞後接“quam”，則視“quam”為連接詞。

例：These books are more famous than those.

Hic libri sunt clariores quam illi.

If the Latin word “quam” precedes a superlative adjective, it means the person or thing has the greatest possibility or degree of quality. E.G.

註：拉丁字“quam”後接最高級形容詞，意味其所修飾之人或事具有最高級之意含。

例：It was the heaviest of all possible swords.

Gladius erat quam gravissimus.

Ablative of Comparison

I know that by now you thought there couldn’t be any more possible ablatives.  But you’re wrong.  Here’s another one.  Some times when two elements are compared, in either the nominative or accusative, the “quam” was often omitted and the second element is placed in the ablative case. E.G.  This is as clearer than day.  Haec est clarior die.  It could also be written: Haec est clarior quam die.  It would be translated the same.  Both are correct and both are options.

我們已經學習甚多從格（副格、奪格）之用法，然學無止境，現在要多學一種。前後二物相比，不管是前者為主格或直接受格，二物之間通常省略“quam”，位居在後者要用奪格，例：Haec est clarior die.   (This is as clearer than day.)  亦可寫成Haec est clarior quam die.  兩個拉丁句意思皆同。

Now it’s time to return to our text.