Verbs from Comparatives
Just like you can form verbs from adjectives using the prefix u-, you can also form them from the comparative degree of adjectives. By taking the comparative root and adding the prefix po-, z-, or s-, along with a verb ending (usually -yć or -ić), you create a verb meaning "to make something more [adjective]".
For example, taking words for big and small:
- większy (bigger) -> powiększyć (to enlarge) or zwiększyć (to increase)
- mniejszy (smaller) -> pomniejszyć (to reduce, scale down) or zmniejszyć (to decrease)
Note that zwiększyć is typically used for increasing abstract quantities or intensity (like a budget or production), while powiększyć is used for physical size, scale, or volume (like a photo or a team).
Improving and Worsening
This same pattern applies to the irregular comparatives for "good" and "bad":
- lepszy (better) -> polepszyć (to improve)
- gorszy (worse) -> pogorszyć (to worsen)
If something worsens on its own or changes state rather than someone directly making it worse, you add the reflexive pronoun się.
Adjusting Dimensions
You can easily talk about adjusting dimensions or expanding systems by adding the prefix po- to the comparative forms of dimensional adjectives:
- szerszy (wider) -> poszerzyć (to widen)
- głębszy (deeper) -> pogłębić (to deepen)
- grubszy (thicker) -> pogrubić (to thicken, make text bold)
Notice how these physical verbs are often used metaphorically, such as "deepening knowledge."
Becoming Cheaper or More Expensive
So far, the verbs we've seen ended in -yć or -ić and meant "to make something [adjective]." However, Polish also has verbs that mean "to become [adjective]." These often take the ending -eć.
For talking about prices, we use the prefixes z- and s-:
- droższy (more expensive) -> zdrożeć (to become more expensive)
- tańszy (cheaper) -> stanieć (to become cheaper)