Irregular comparatives (лучше, хуже, больше...)

Learn how to compare software features and updates using common irregular comparatives.

Better and Worse

In Russian, short-form comparative words do not change based on gender, number, or case. The exact same word is often used as both an adjective (describing a noun) and an adverb (describing an action).

The comparatives for good and bad are irregular:

  • лучше (better)
  • хуже (worse)
The new version is better.
Новая версия лучше.

You can also use these comparatives to describe actions or general situations:

It is better to download the new version.
Лучше скачать новую версию.

More, Less, and Size

The comparatives for "bigger" and "smaller" double as the words for "more" and "less" in Russian:

  • больше (more / bigger)
  • меньше (less / smaller)

You can use them to compare physical size, like how large an update is:

You use the exact same words to talk about quantities, requirements, or how much you like something:

Older and Younger

When comparing the age of people, such as users, use these irregular forms:

  • старше (older)
  • младше (younger)

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