Base Adverbs
To describe how an action is performed, we use adverbs. Many common adverbs in Croatian end in -o.
| Yesterday you jumped poorly. | Jučer si slabo skakao. |
| The players throw the ball strongly. | Igrači snažno bacaju loptu. |
Comparative Adverbs
When comparing actions (like running faster or swimming more strongly), we use comparative adverbs. These usually end in -e or -ije. Conveniently, they share the exact same form as the neuter singular comparative adjective.
To say "than," you can use the preposition od (followed by the genitive case), or the word nego.
| This boy runs faster than his father. | Ovaj dječak trči brže od oca. |
| You must swim more strongly for a medal. | Moraš plivati snažnije za medalju. |
| Today we are playing worse than yesterday. | Danas igramo slabije nego jučer. |
Just like adjectives, some adverbs have irregular comparative forms. For example, dobro (well) becomes bolje (better), and daleko (far) becomes dalje (further).
| I am going to training because I want to play better. | Idem na trening jer želim igrati bolje. |
| My brother throws further than his friend. | Moj brat baca dalje od prijatelja. |
Superlative Adverbs
To form the superlative adverb (e.g., running the fastest, playing the best), simply attach the prefix naj- directly to the comparative form. This rule works exactly the same as it does for adjectives.
| She swims the fastest because she has training every day. | Ona pliva najbrže jer ima trening svaki dan. |
| He will get a medal because he plays the best. | On će dobiti medalju jer igra najbolje. |
| Today I must jump the highest for the record. | Danas moram skočiti najviše za rekord. |
