Chapter:  [ Contents | 1.Alphabet | 2.Sandhi | 3.Assimilation | 4.Strengthening | 5.Declension | 6.Feminine | 7.Adjectives | 8.Numerals | 9.Pronouns | 10.1 Verbs | 10.2 Verbs | 10.3 Verbs | 11.Indeclinables | 12.Compounds | 13.Derivation | 14.Syntax | 15.Prosody ]

A Practical Grammar of the Paali Language
Chapter 7

ADJECTIVES

Declension

196. Adjectives, like nouns, may be divided into those whose stem ends in a vowel and those the stem of which ends in a consonant.

To the student who has mastered the declension of nouns, that of Adjectives will present no difficulties.

Declension of adjectives in a

197. Adjectives in a form their Feminine by means of aa mostly; some by means of ii.

198. The Neuter is obtained by adding .m to the stem.

199. The Masculine is declined like deva (122); the Feminine like ka~n~naa (127), and the Neuter like ruupa.m (124).

Feminines in i are declined like nadii (139).

200.Declension of Baala (stem), foolish

Singular

Masculine

Feminine

Neuter

Nom.baalo.baalaa.baala.m.
Gen.baalassa.baalaaya.baalassa.
Dat.baalassa, baalaaya.baalaaya.baalassa, baalaaya.
Acc.baala.m.baala.m.baala.m.
Ins.baalena.baalaaya.baalena.
Abl.baalaa, baalasmaa, baalamhaa, baalato.baalaaya.baalaa, baalasmaa, baalamhaa, baalato.
Loc.baale, baalasmi.m, baalamhi.baalaaya, baalaaya.m.baale, baalasmi.m, baalamhi.
Voc.baala, baalaa.baalaa, baale.baala.

Plural

Masculine

Feminine

Neuter

Nom.baalaa.baalaa, baalaayo.baalaani, baalaa.
Gen.baalaana.m.baalaana.m.baalaana.m.
Dat.baalaana.m.baalaana.m.baalaana.m.
Acc.baale.baalaa, baalaayo.baalaani, baale.
Ins.baalehi, baalebhi.baalaahi, baalaabhi.baalehi, baalebhi.
Abl.baalehi, baalebhi.baalaahi, baalaabhi.baalehi, baalebhi.
Loc.baalesu.baalaasu.baalesu.
Voc.baalaa.baalaa, baalaayo.baalaani, baalaa.

Exercise
Adjectives declined like deva, ka~n~naa and ruupa.m.
StemMasc.Fem.Neut.
duura, far.duuroduuraaduura.m
taru.na, young.taru.notaru.naataru.na.m
diigha, long.diighodiighaadiigha.m
rassa, short.rassorassaarassa.m
gambhiira, deep.gambhiirogambhiiraagambhiira.m
pharusa, harsh.pharusopharusaapharusa.m
sukkha, dry.sukkhosukkhaasukkha.m
aamaka, raw.aamakoaamakaaaamaka.m
paapa, evil.paapopaapaapaapa.m
khema, calm.khemokhemaakhema.m

201. We give here only a few examples of Feminine adjectives formed by means of ii from stems in a.

paapa, evil.paapo,paapii.
taru.na, young.taru.no,taru.nii.
diipana, illuminating.diipano,diipanii.

Remarks. As said above these adjectives are declined like nadii and therefore present no difficulty.

202.Adjectives in ii (short)

203. Adjectives ending in i are declined like kapi, in the Masculine, and like vaari, in the Neuter. The Feminine formed by means of ni is declined like nadii.

204.Declension of Bhuuri   (stem), abundant

Singular

Masculine

Feminine

Neuter

Nom.bhuuri.bhuurinii.bhuuri.
Gen.bhuurissa, bhuurino.bhuuriniyaa.bhuurissa, bhuurino.
Dat.bhuurissa, bhuurino.bhuuriniyaa.bhuurissa, bhuurino.
Acc.bhuuri.m.bhuurini.m.bhuuri.m.
Ins.bhuurinaa.bhuuriniyaa.bhuurinaa.
Abl.bhuurinaa, bhuurismaa, bhuurimhaa.bhuuriniyaa.bhuurinaa, bhuurismaa, bhuurimhaa.
Loc.bhuurismi.m, bhuurimhi.bhuuriniyaa, bhuuriniya.m.bhuurismi.m, bhuurimhi.
Voc.bhuuri.bhuurini.bhuuri.

Plural
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.bhuurii, bhuuraayo.bhuurinii, bhuuriniyo.bhuurinii, bhuurii.
Gen.bhuuriina.m.bhuuriniina.m.bhuurina.m.
Dat.bhuuriina.m.bhuuriniina.m.bhuurina.m.
Acc.bhuurii, bhuuraayo.bhuurinii, bhuuriniyo.bhuurinii, bhuurii.
Ins.bhuuriihi, bhuuriibhi.bhuuriniihi, bhuuriniibhi.bhuuriihi, bhuuriibhi.
Abl.bhuuriihi, bhuuriibhi.bhuuriniihi, bhuuriniibhi.bhuuriihi, bhuuriibhi.
Loc.bhuuriisu.bhuuriniisu.bhuuriisu.
Voc.bhuurii, bhuurayo.bhuurini, bhuuriniiyo.bhuurini, bhuurii.

205.Adjectives in ii (long)

206. A numerous class of Masculine adjectives are derived from nouns by means of suffix i (an adjectival suffix not to be confounded with the Feminine suffix ii) (181, 2; 185).

Examples
SubstantivesAdjectives
paapa, sin.paapii, sinful.
dhamma, religion.dhammii, religious, pious.
maana, pride.maanii, proud.
soka, sorrow.sokii, sorrowful.
roga, sickness.rogii, sick.
makkha, hypocrisy.makkhii, hypocritical.

207. The Masculine is declined like da.n.di.

208. The Feminine is formed by adding ni, before which final ii is shortened; it is declined like nadii.

209. In the Neuter final ii is shortened to i and is declined like vaari.

210.Declension of Esii, wishing

Singular
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.esii.esinii.esi.
Gen.esissa, esino.esiniyaa.esissa, esino.
Dat.esissa, esino.esiniyaa.esissa, esino.
Acc.esi.m.esini.m.esi.m.
Ins.esinaa.esiniyaa.esinaa.
Abl.esinaa, esismaa, esimhaa.esiniyaa.esinaa, esismaa, esimhaa.
Loc.esismi.m, esimhi.esiniyaa, esiniya.m.esismi.m, esimhi.
Voc.esi.esinii.esi.

Plural
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.esii, esino.esinii, esiniyo.esiini, esii.
Gen.esiina.m.esiniina.m.esina.m.
Dat.esiina.m.esiniina.m.esiina.m.
Acc.esii.esinii, esiniyo.esiini, esi.
Ins.esiihi, esiibhi.esiniihi, esiniibhi.esiihi, esiibhi.
Abl.esiihi, esiibhi.esiniihi, esiniibhi.esihi, esibhi.
Loc.esiisu.esiniisu.esiisu.
Voc.esii.esinii.esii.

Decline like esii
MasculineFeminineNeuter
ekaakii, solitary.ekaakinii,ekaaki.
caarii, roaming.caarinii,caari.
ekakkhii, one eyed.ekakkhinii,ekakkhi.
maccharii, niggardly.maccharinii,macchari.
suurii, wise.suurinii,suuri.
jayii, victorious.jayinii,jayi.

211. Adjectives in u (short)

212. These are declined in the Masculine like bhikkhu, in the Feminine like nadii, and in the Neuter like cakkhu.

213. The Feminine base is formed by the addition of ni.

214.Declension of Garu (stem), heavy

Singular
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.garu.garunii.garu.
Gen.garussa, garuno.garuniyaa.garussa, garuno.
Dat.garussa, garuno.garuniyaa.garussa, garuno.
Acc.garu.m.garuni.m.garu.m.
Ins.garunaa.garuniyaa.garunaa.
Abl.garunaa, garusmaa, garumhaa.garuniyaa.garunaa, garusmaa, garumhaa.
Loc.garusmi.m, garumhi.garuniyaa, garuniya.m.garusmi.m, garumhi.
Voc.garu.garunii.garu.

Plural
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.garuu, garavo.garunii, garuniyo.garuuni, garuu.
Gen.garuuna.m.garuniina.m.garuuna.m.
Dat.garuuna.m.garuniina.m.garuuna.m.
Acc.garuu, garavo.garunii, garuniyo.garuuni, garuu.
Ins.garuuhi, garuubhi.garuniihi, garuniibhi.garuuhi, garuubhi.
Abl.garuuhi, garuubhi.garuniihi, garuniibhi.garuuhi, garuubhi.
Loc.garuusu.garuniisu.garuusu.
Voc.garuu, garavo.garunii, garuniyo.garuuni, garuu.

Decline like garu.
MasculineFeminineNeuter
bahu, many.bahunii,bahu.
saadu, agreeable.saadunii,saadu.
saadhu, good.saadhunii,saadhu.
dattu, stupid.dattunii,dattu.

215. Adjectives in uu (long)

216. Adjectives in uu form their Feminine by means of nii, uu being shortened before it.

217. They are declined, in the Masc. like sayambhuu, and in the Feminine like nadii and in the Neut. like cakkhu.

218. Declension of Vi~n~n  uu  , wise

Singular
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.vi~n~nuu.vi~n~nunii.vi~n~nuu.
Gen.vi~n~nussa, vi~n~nuno.vi~n~nuniyaa.vi~n~nussa, vi~n~nuno.
Dat.vi~n~nussa, vi~n~nuno.vi~n~nuniyaa.vi~n~nussa, vi~n~nuno.
Acc.vi~n~nu.m.vi~n~nuni.m.vi~n~nu.m.
Ins.vi~n~nunaa.vi~n~nuniyaa.vi~n~nunaa.
Abl.vi~n~nunaa, vi~n~nusmaa, vi~n~numhaa.vi~n~nuniyaa.vi~n~nunaa, vi~n~nusmaa, vi~n~numhaa.
Loc.vi~n~nusmi.m, vi~n~numhi.vi~n~nuniyaa, vi~n~nuniya.m.vi~n~nusmi.m, vi~n~numhi.
Voc.vi~n~nuu.vi~n~nunii.vi~n~nuu.

Plural
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.vi~n~nuu, vi~n~nuvo.vi~n~nunii, vi~n~nuniyo.vi~n~nuuni, vi~n~nuu.
Gen.vi~n~nuuna.m.vi~n~nuniina.m.vi~n~nuuna.m.
Dat.vi~n~nuuna.m.vi~n~nuniina.m.vi~n~nuuna.m.
Acc.vi~n~nuu, vi~n~nuvo.vi~n~nunii, vi~n~nuniyo.vi~n~nuuni, vi~n~nuu.
Ins.vi~n~nuuhi, vi~n~nuubhi.vi~n~nuniihi, vi~n~nuniibhi.vi~n~nuuhi, vi~n~nuubhi.
Abl.vi~n~nuuhi, vi~n~nuubhi.vi~n~nuniihi, vi~n~nuniibhi.vi~n~nuuhi, vi~n~nuubhi.
Loc.vi~n~nuusu.vi~n~nuniisu.vi~n~nuusu.
Voc.vi~n~nuu, vi~n~nuvo.vi~n~nunii, vi~n~nuniyo.vi~n~nuuni, vi~n~nuu.

Decline like vi~n~nuu, in the Masculine, Feminine and Neuter.
niddaaluu, sleepy.pabhuu, powerful.
matta~n~nuu, temperate.kata~n~nuu, grateful.

219. Adjectives with Consonantal Bases

220. Adjectives with consonantal bases are of three kinds:

(1)those the stem of which ends in at or ant.
(2)those the stem of which ends in mat or mant.
(3)those the stem of which ends in vat or vant.

221. All the adjectives in mat, mant, and vat, vant, are formed from nouns by means of suffixesmaa andvaa, (whose original base is mat and vat), which express possession of the quality or state indicated by the noun to which they are affixed.

222. It must, however, be remarked that vaa and maa are not affixed indiscriminately. The following rule is invariable.

(a)Suffix vaa is added only to nouns ending in a.
(b)Suffix maa is always added to nouns ending in i and u.

Example
NounAdj.
maana, pride.maanavaa, having pride, viz, proud.
gu.na, virtue.gunavaa, having virtue, viz., virtuous.
bhoga, wealth.bhogavaa, possessing wealth, viz., wealthy.
bala, strength.balavaa, possessing strength, viz., strong.

Example
NounAdj.
suci, purity.sucimaa, endowed with purity, viz., pure.
sati, mindfulness.satimaa, possessed of mindfulness, viz., mindful.
khanti, patience.khantimaa, endowed with patience, viz., patient.
hetu, cause.hetumaa, having a cause, causal.
bandhu, relative.bandhumaa, having a relative.

223. The Feminine is formed by adding ii to either of the bases viz, mat, mant or vat, vant; for instance:

StemMasculineFeminine
gu.navat.gu.navaa.gu.navatii.
gu.navant.gu.navantii.
jutimat.jutimaa.jutimatii.
jutimant.jutimantii.

224. In the Nom., Acc., and Voc. sing. the Neuter is formed by adding .m after vaa and maa, the long aa being shortened (4, 34); and ni to the stem in vant and mant, for the Nom., Acc., and Voc. plural.

StemMasculine

Feminine

SingularPlural
jutimant.jutimaa.jutima.m.jutimantaani.
gu.navant.gu.navaa.gu.nava.m.gu.navantaani.

225. Declension of adjectives in at or ant

226. Declension of Mahaa (stem: Mahat, Mahant)

Singular
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.maha.m, mahanto.mahatii, mahantii.maha.m, mahanta.m.
Gen.mahato, mahantassa.mahatiyaa, mahantiyaa.mahato, mahantassa.
Dat.mahato, mahantassa.mahatiyaa, mahantiyaa.mahato, mahantassa.
Acc.mahanta.m.mahati.m, mahanti.m.mahanta.m.
Ins.mahataa, mahantena.mahatiyaa, mahantiyaa.mahataa, mahantena.
Abl.mahataa, mahantasmaa, mahantamhaa.mahatiyaa, mahantiyaa.mahataa, mahantasmaa, mahantamhaa
Loc.mahati, mahante, mahantasmi.m, mahantamhi.mahatiyaa, mahantiyaa, mahatiya.m, mahantiya.m.mahati, mahante, mahantasmi.m, mahantamhi.
Voc.maha.m, mahaa, maha.mahatii, mahantii.maha.m, mahaa, maha.

Plural
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.mahanto, mahantaa.mahatii, mahatiyo, mahantii, mahantiyo.mahantaani, mahantaa.
Gen.mahata.m, mahantaana.m.mahatiinam, mahantiina.m.mahata.m, mahantaana.m.
Dat.mahata.m, mahantaana.m.mahatiinam, mahantiina.m.mahata.m, mahantaana.m.
Acc.mahante, mahantaa, mahanto.mahatii, mahatiyo, mahantii, mahantiyo.mahantaani, mahantaa.
Ins.mahantehi, mahantebhi.mahantiihi, mahantiibhi, mahatiihi, mahatiibhi.mahantehi, mahantebhi.
Abl.mahantehi, mahantebhi.mahantiihi, mahantiibhi, mahatiihi, mahatiibhi.mahantehi, mahantebhi.
Loc.mahantesu.mahatiisu, mahantiisu.mahantesu.
Voc.mahantaa, mahanto.mahatii, mahatiyo, mahantii, mahantiyo.mahantaani, mahantaa.

Remarks.
(a) The declension of mahaa should be carefully studied, as all the Present Participles, in at and ant, as for instance gaccha.mor gacchanto, kara.mor karanto, paca.mor pacanto, are declined like it.
(b) We have already given (167) the declension of araha.mwhich, in the Nom. sing, has also the form arahaa.
(c) The word santo (167) meaning a good man, is similarly declined; the form sabbhi, however, is also found in the Ins. and Abl. plural.

Exercise
Decline like maha.m(stem: mahat, mahant), in the Masculine, Feminine and Neuter.
cara.m, caranto(stem: carat, carant)walking, roaming.
bhu~nja.m, bhu~njanto(stem: bhu~nja.t, bhu~njant)eating.
kara.m, karanto(stem: karat, karant)doing.
sara.m, saranto(stem: sarat, sarant)remembering.
vasa.m, vasanto(stem: vasat, vasant)living.
puccha.m, pucchanto(stem: pucchat, pucchant)asking.

227. Declension of adjectives in mat or mant

228. Declension of Dhiimaa, wise (stem: Dhiimat, Dhiimant)

Singular
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.dhiimaa, dhiimanto.dhiimatii, dhiimantii.dhiima.m, dhiimantam.
Gen.dhiimato, dhiimantassa.dhiimatiyaa, dhiimantiyaa.dhiimato, dhimantassa.
Dat.dhiimato, dhiimantassa.dhiimatiyaa, dhiimantiyaa.dhiimato, dhimantassa.
Acc.dhiima.m, dhiimanta.m.dhiimati.m, dhiimanti.m.dhiima.m, dhiimanta.m.
Ins.dhiimataa, dhiimantena.dhiimatiyaa, dhiimantiyaa.dhiimataa, dhiimantena.
Abl.dhiimataa, dhiimantaa, dhiimantasmaa, dhiimantamhaa.dhiimantiyaa, dhiimatiyaa.dhiimataa, dhiimantaa, dhiimantasmaa, dhiimantamhaa.
Loc.dhiimati, dhiimante, dhiimantasmi.m, dhiimantamhi.dhiimatiyaa, dhiimantiyaa, dhiimatiya.m, dhiimantiya.m.dhiimati, dhiimante, dhiimantasmi.m, dhiimantamhi.
Voc.dhiima.m, dhiimaa, dhiima, dhiimantaa, dhiimanta.dhiimatii, dhiimantii.dhiima.m, dhiimaa, dhiima, dhiimanta, dhiimantaa.

Plural
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.dhiimantaa, dhiimanto, dhiimaa.dhiimatii, dhiimatiyo, dhiimantii, dhiimantiyo.dhiimantaani, dhiimantaa.
Gen.dhiimata.m, dhiimantaana.m.dhiimatiina.m, dhiimantiina.m.dhiimata.m, dhiimantaana.m.
Dat.dhiimata.m, dhiimantaana.m.dhiimatiina.m, dhiimantiina.m.dhiimata.m, dhiimantaana.m.
Acc.dhiimante.dhiimatii, dhiimatiyo, dhiimantii, dhiimantiyo.dhiimantaani, dhiimantaa.
Ins.dhiimantehi, dhiimantebhi.dhiimatiihi, dhiimatiibhi, dhiimantiihi, dhiimantiibhi.dhiimantehi, dhiimantebhi.
Abl.dhiimantehi, dhiimantebhi.dhiimatiihi, dhiimatiibhi, dhiimantiihi, dhiimantiibhi.dhiimantehi, dhiimantebhi.
Loc.dhiimantesu.dhiimantiisu, dhiimatiisu.dhiimantesu.
Voc.dhiimantaa, dhiimanto, dhiimaa.dhiimatii, dhiimatiyo, dhiimantii, dhiimantiyo.dhiimantaani, dhiimantaa.

Exercise
Decline like dhimaa (stem: dhiimat, dhiimant), in the Masculine, Feminine and Neuter:
gomaa(stem: gomat, gomant)a cattle owner.
puttimaa(stem: puttimat, puttimant)having sons.
khaanumaa(stem: khaanumat, khaanumant)having stumps.
ketumaa(stem: ketumat, ketumant)glorious, victorious lit., having banners.
hetumaa(stem: hetumat, hetumant)having a cause.
cakkhumaa(stem: cakkhumat cakkhumant)enlightened.

229. Declension of adjectives in vat or vant

Remarks. The declension of Adjectives in vat, vant is the same as that of those in mat, mant; the only difference being that, of course, v replaces m throughout.

230. Declension of Gu.navaa, virtuous (stem: gu.navat, gu.navant)

Singular
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.gu.navaa, gu.navanto.gu.navatii, gu.navantii.gu.nava.m, gu.navantam.
Gen.gu.navato, gu.navantassa.gu.navatiyaa, gu.navantiyaa.gu.navato, gu.navantassa.
Dat.gu.navato, gu.navantassa.gu.navatiyaa, gu.navantiyaa.gu.navato, gu.navantassa.
Acc.gu.nava.m, gu.navanta.m.gu.navati.m, gu.navanti.m.gu.nava.m, gu.navanta.m.
Ins.gu.navataa, gu.navantena.gu.navatiyaa, gu.navantiyaa.gu.navataa, gu.navantena.
Abl.gu.navataa, gu.navantaa, gu.navantasmaa, gu.navantamhaa.gu.navantiyaa, gu.navatiyaa.gu.navataa, gu.navantaa, gu.navantasmaa, gu.navantamhaa.
Loc.gu.navati, gu.navante, gu.navantasmi.m, gu.navantamhi.gu.navatiyaa, gu.navatiya.m, gu.navantiyaa, gu.navantiya.m.gu.navati, gu.navante, gu.navantasmi.m, gu.navantamhi.
Voc.gu.nava.m, gu.navaa, gu.nava, gu.navantaa, gu.navanta.gu.navatii, gu.navantii.gu.nava.m, gu.navaa, gu.nava, gu.navanta, gu.navantaa.

Plural
MasculineFeminineNeuter
Nom.gu.navantaa, gu.navanto, gu.navaa.gu.navatii, gu.navatiyo, gu.navantii, gu.navantiyo.gu.navantaani, gu.navantaa.
Gen.gu.navata.m, gu.navantaana.m.gu.navatiina.m, gu.navantiina.m.gu.navata.m, gu.navantaana.m.
Dat.gu.navata.m, gu.navantaana.m.gu.navatiina.m, gu.navantiina.m.gu.navata.m, gu.navantaana.m.
Acc.gu.navante.gu.navatii, gu.navatiyo, gu.navantii, gu.navantiyo.gu.navantaani, gu.navantaa.
Ins.gu.navantehi, gu.navantebhi.gu.navatiihi, gu.navatiibhi, gu.navantiihi, gu.navantiibhi.gu.navantehi, gu.navantebhi.
Abl.gu.navantehi, gu.navantebhi.gu.navatiihi, gu.navatiibhi, gu.navantiihi, gu.navantiibhi.gu.navantehi, gu.navantebhi.
Loc.gu.navantesu.gu.navantiisu, gu.navatiisu.gu.navantesu.
Voc.gu.navantaa, gu.navanto, gu.navaa.gu.navatii, gu.navatiyo, gu.navantii, gu.navantiyo.gu.navantaani, gu.navantaa.

231. There is another not very numerous class of Adjectives formed from nouns and roots by means of suffix esaavii andvii.

232. The original stem of aavii and vii is aavin and vin and they therefore belong to the Consonantal declension. Vii is used after nouns, and aavii after roots.

233. The Feminine is formed by adding the Feminine suffix nii, before which final long ii is shortened.

234. In the Neuter, final i is shortened in the Nom. and Voc. singular; in the plural, before Neuter suffix ni final ii remains unchanged.

235. vii, like maa and vaa, expresses possession.

Examples
Masc.Masc.Neuter
NounAdj.Adj.SingularPlural
medhaa, wisdom.medhaavii.medhaavinii.medhaavi.medhaaviinii.
/pass, to see.passaavii.passaavinii.passaavi.passaaviinii.

The declension of these Adjectives presents no difficulty. They are declined in the Masculine like da.n.dii, in the Feminine like nadii and in the Neuter like vaari.

236.Negative Adjectives

237. Negative Adjectives are obtained by prefixing to affirmative Adjectives the prefix a and ana.

Remarks. a is used before a consonant, and ana before a vowel.

Examples
diigha, long.adiigha, not long.
aakula, turbid.anaakula, not turbid, clear.

Comparison

238. The Comparison of Adjectives is formed in two ways:
(1) by adding tara for the comparative and tama for the Superlative, to the Masculine bases of the Positive.
(2) by adding iya or iyya for the comparative, and i.t.tha, issika for the Superlative, to the Masculine bases of the Positive.

239. The Comparative and Superlative are declined in the Masculine like deva, in the Feminine like ka~n~na and in the Neuter like ruupa.m.

Examples

(1) tara, tama.
PositiveComparativeSuperlative
suci, pure.sucitara, purer.sucitama, purest.
paapa, evil.paapatara, more evil.paapatama, most evil.
omaka, vile.omakatara, viler.omakatama, vilest.
hari, green.haritara, greener.haritama, greenest.

Remarks. Of the above Comparative and Superlative bases, the Masculine is, sucitaro, sucitamo; the Feminine, sucitaraa, sucitamaa, and the Neuter, sucitara.m, etc., etc.

(2) iya (iyya), i.t.tha, issika.
PositiveComparativeSuperlative
paapa, evil.paapiiya, more evil.paapi.t.tha, most evil.
paapiyya more evil.paapissika, most evil.
khippa, quick.khippiya, quicker.khippi.t.tha, quickest.
khippiyya, quicker.khippissika, quickest.
ka.t.tha, bad.ka.t.thiya, worse.ka.t.thi.t.tha, worst.
ka.t.thiyya, worse.ka.t.thissika, worst.

240. With many, we should say most, adjectives, the suffixes of (238-1) tara, tama or of (2) iya, iyya, i.t.tha, issika, may be used interchangeably.

Examples
paapatara orpaapiya.
khippatara orkhippiya.
paapatama or paapi.t.tha orpaapissika, etc.

241. The comparatives in iya, iyya, are declined like mano (159).

It will be remarked that, before iya, iyya, i.t.tha and issika, the final vowel of the Positive Adjective is dropped.

243. Adjectives formed by means of the possessive suffixes, ma (mat), vaa (vat) (221), and vii, vin (231), drop these suffixes and the vowel which precedes them, before iya, iyya, i.t.tha and issika.

Examples
(a)gu.navaa + iyo =gu.na + iyo = gu.n + iyo = gu.niyo.
Similarly:gu.n + iyyo, gu.niyyo: gu.n-i.t.tha, etc.
(b)medhaavii + iyo = medhaa + iyo = medh + iyo = medhiyo
Similarly:medh + iyyo,medhiyyo;medh + i.t.tha,medhi.t.tha, etc.
(c)satimaa + iyo =sati + iyo =sat + iyo =satiyo
Similarly:sat + iyyo =satiyyo;sat + i.t.tha =sati.t.tha, etc.

244. Tara may be superadded to the Superlative i.t.tha, as, paapi.t.thatara.

245. The Acc. sing. of most Adjectives is used adverbially.

Examples
AdjectiveAdverb
khippa, quick.khippa.m, quickly.
sukha, happy.sukha.m, happily.
siigha, swift.siigha.m, swiftly.
manda, stupid.manda.m, stupidly.

246. The Absolute Superlative is formed by prefixing ati to the Positive adjective:

atikhippavery quick, extremely quick, too quick
atippasatthavery excellent
atithokavery little, too little, excessively little

247. Some Adjectives form their Comparison irregularly.

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
antika, near.nediya, nearer.nedi.t.tha, nearest.
baa.lha, strong.saadhiya, stronger.saadhi.t.tha, strongest.
saadhiyya, stronger.
appa, few.ka.niya, fewer.kani.t.tha, fewest.
yuva, young.ka.niya, younger.kani.t.tha, youngest.
vu.d.dha, old.jeyya, older.je.t.tha, oldest.
pasattha, excellent, good.seyya, better.se.t.tha, most excellent, best.
garu, heavy.gariya, heavier.gari.t.tha, heaviest.

248. Any substantive is used in the sense of an adjective when it is the last member of a bahubbihi compound (see chapter on compounds, bahubbihi) qualifying a noun or a pronoun expressed or understood.

249. The noun thus used, whether Feminine or Neuter, assumes the form of the Masculine.

Examples
Nounas Adjective.
(i) dassana.m(neut.) looking.ruddadassano kumbhiiloa fierce-looking crocodile.
(ii) ja"nghaa(fem.) leg.diighaja"ngho purisoa long-legged man.
(iii)pa~n~naa(fem.) wisdom.mahaapa~n~nohaving great wisdom, very wise.
(iv) siila.m(neut.) morality.sampannasiiloone who is full of morality: moral, virtuous.
(v) hattho(masc.) hand.chinnahatthena purisena katodone by a man whose hands have been cut off.


(Original file downloaded from www.tipitaka.net/pali/grammar/. Tabulation follows the pdf file located at www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/paligram.pdf .)