Comparisons

Comparisons

Comparisons in Fulfulde primarily utilize the verb ɓurude, which means “to be better (than)” or “to be more (than).” Even when speaking in present tense, you use the positive past tense conjugation for ɓurude (ɓuri) because it is a stative verb. Most comparisons using ɓurude follow this structure:

(Subject A) ana* ɓuri (Subject B) + (infinitive or descriptor word)

Affirmative Examples:

         *do not include ana when using subject pronouns

In the second example above, note that to better at an action than someone, you have to use the construction waawude (to be able to) or you can also use andude (to know) + the verb infinitive.

Ɓurude can also be used in the negative. When using ɓurude in negative comparisons, it is conjugated in the positive present (ɓura).

Negative Examples:

You can also use ɓurude to make implicit and indirect comparisons. Note that when using first and second person personal pronouns (I, you) you only use the stem of ɓurude (ɓur-) and hyphenate, using the object version of the pronoun (mi, ɗa).

Examples:

There are other verbs used in comparison as well. Comparisons using other verbs take the following structure:

(Subject A) ana (affirmative/negative past tense conjugation of verb) e (Subject B)

For example, nandude,  which means “to resemble” can be used affirmatively or negatively for both people and objects. In the affirmative, it is conjugated in the positive past. In the negative, it is conjugated using the positive present (just as with ɓurude).

Affirmative Examples:

Negative Examples

To communicate that two subjects are similar or the same, you use the following construction:

(Subject A)  e (Subject B) fuu gootum

In order to say two people or objects are different, you use walda (for the plural it becomes ngalda)

(Subject A) e (Subject B) walda

Vocabulary Bank

Here are a few other vocabulary words that may be useful for comparisons and superlatives.