kuulsamaid

Kuulsamaid is the Estonian comparative form of the adjective kuulus, meaning "more famous." It is used to compare two or more entities and modifies a following noun. In typical usage, kuulsamaid precedes a plural noun in the partitive or genitive case, for example kuulsamaid inimesi (more famous people) or maailma kuulsamaid kunstnikke (the world’s more famous artists).

Morphology and usage: The form kuulsamaid represents the plural partitive of the comparative kuulsam. The base kuulsam is derived from kuulus by adding the comparative suffix -am; the plural partitive ending -aid is added to form kuulsamaid. This form is common when the noun is in partitive or appears in determiner constructions, as in need on kuulsamaid inimesi.

Examples and nuance: Kuulsamaid is used to emphasize a greater degree of fame relative to another group. It does not by itself indicate superlative degree; the superlative would be kuulsaim (the most famous) or maailma kuulsaimad inimesed (the world's most famous people).

See also: Estonian grammar; adjectives; comparative forms.