Kisebb

Kisebb is a Hungarian adjective that expresses a smaller size or degree and functions as the comparative form of the adjective kicsi (small). It is used to compare two or more objects, indicating that one is of lesser size or extent than another.

In everyday grammar, kisebb can be used both attributively and predicatively. For example: Ez a szoba kisebb, mint az a szoba. This phrase uses a comparison with the word mint, meaning “than.” In mathematical or formal statements, kisebb denotes strict inequality, as in a kisebb, mint b, meaning a is smaller than b. The superlative form is legkisebb, meaning smallest.

Formation and spelling: the comparative is formed with the suffix -ebb/-bb attached to the stem kis/kicsi, with vowel harmony shaping the final form to yield kisebb. The word is gender- and number-neutral in itself and agrees with the noun it modifies according to standard Hungarian adjective agreement rules.

Origin and related terms: kisebb derives from kis, the root meaning small, with the usual Hungarian comparative formation. Related forms include kicsi (small) and legkisebb (smallest). The term is common in everyday language, education, and literature for expressing relative size comparisons.