Russian, from zero to B1

Week 31, Lesson 61, Monday

Compare two things

To compare in Russian, add -ее to the adjective and put чем before the second thing. Six common words break the rule, and they are the ones you need most.

In this lessonabout 70 minutes
New words8
Focus-ее and the irregular four, чем, са́мый

1Recap 5 minutes

Three questions from Week 30, before anything new.

2Goal 1 minute

I can compare two things and say which is the cheapest, the best or the most comfortable.

3The lesson 20 minutes

In this lesson

  1. Cheaper, better, more comfortable
  2. Than, and the most

Cheaper, better, more comfortable

Two price tags. Which is cheaper?

5 000 ₽деше́вле8 000 ₽доро́жеЭ́та ку́ртка деше́вле, чем та.
The comparative, then чем, then the second thing.
AdjectiveComparative
краси́выйкраси́вее
удо́бныйудо́бнее
тёплыйтепле́е
дешёвыйдеше́вле
дорого́йдоро́же
хоро́шийлу́чше
плохо́йху́же

Regular adjectives add -ее. деше́вле, доро́же, лу́чше, ху́же, бо́льше, ме́ньше are irregular. The comparative never changes its ending.

краси́выйкраси́вееудо́бныйудо́бнеетёплыйтепле́е
Regular adjectives add -ее.

Than, and the most

RussianMeaning
Э́та ку́ртка деше́вле, чем та.This jacket is cheaper than that one.
Метро́ быстре́е, чем авто́бус.The metro is faster than the bus.
са́мая дешёвая ку́рткаthe cheapest jacket
са́мый лу́чший магази́нthe very best shop

са́мый agrees with the noun, like any adjective.

Week 31 on one plate. Lesson 61: дешевле, лучше; Эта куртка дешевле, чем та; красивее, удобнее; самая дешёвая. Lesson 62: Мне больше нравится; Это слишком дорого; Есть скидка; Я подумаю.
Week 31 on one plate. This lesson is band L61.

4Listen and say 5 minutes

Sound of the lesson: -ее

Regular comparatives end in a stressed or unstressed -ее: краси́вее, тепле́е.

5Phrases and words 5 minutes

Phrases to learn whole

Learn each one as a single unit, the way you would learn a word. They come back in your Daily 10.

Words to read aloud

Read each one aloud, then open it to check.

деше́вле, доро́же

cheaper, more expensive

лу́чше, ху́же

better, worse

бо́льше, ме́ньше

bigger, smaller; more, less

краси́вее
удо́бнее
тепле́е
чем
са́мый, са́мая

the most …

6Class exercises 15 minutes

Checked instantly. Get one wrong and you can try it again.

In class. With Екатери́на: compare Moscow and Mexico City in five sentences, then name the best thing about each.

Role-play

Take one card each. Swap roles for a second round.

You

  • Compare two cities, two cafés or two phones.

Екатери́на

  • Disagree with one comparison and say why.

7Your turn 5 minutes

Compare two things you own.

See a model answer

Мой но́вый телефо́н лу́чше, чем ста́рый. Он бо́льше и удо́бнее.

Saved as you type. It goes to Екатери́на together with Homework 61.

8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass

9Feedback 5 minutes

10Check your goal 1 minute

I can compare two things and say which is the cheapest, the best or the most comfortable.

Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.

11Homework

Homework 61 on Tuesday: comparing.

I can compare two things and say which is the cheapest, the best or the most comfortable.

Can you do this now?