Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Цей комп'ютер набагато сучасніший, ніж мій старий. - This computer is much more modern than my old one.

Набагато translates to “much” or “far” in English. In this sentence, it functions as an intensifier for the comparative adjective сучасніший, emphasizing that the computer is significantly more modern than my old one.

How is the comparative adjective сучасніший formed, and what does it mean?

Сучасніший is the comparative form of the adjective сучасний (meaning “modern”). In Ukrainian, many adjectives form their comparative by adding a suffix (in this case, -іший) to the base form. Thus, сучасніший translates as “more modern.”

Why is there a comma before ніж in the sentence?

The comma before ніж is used to separate the main clause from the comparative clause. In Ukrainian punctuation, placing a comma before comparative connectors like ніж (which means “than”) helps clarify the structure of the sentence by delineating the two elements being compared.

What does мій старий imply, and why is the noun omitted after старий?

Мій старий translates as “my old [one]”. The noun (комп'ютер) is omitted after старий because it is already understood from the context. This ellipsis is common in Ukrainian to avoid repetition when the referent is clear from the prior mention.

What is the purpose of the apostrophe in комп'ютер?

The apostrophe in комп'ютер indicates a separation in pronunciation. It tells the reader that the preceding consonant should not be palatalized before the following vowel sound. This is particularly common in Ukrainian with loanwords, guiding the correct pronunciation of the word.