Descriptors

Overview

Adjectives and their adverb counterparts are not differentiated. Because of this, adjectives and adverbs are simply called descriptors. 

Placement

Descriptors may be placed directly before or after the word that they modify, but the placement should not make the meaning of the sentence ambiguous. 

Most nouns may not act like adjectives

In English, many nouns can be used as adjectives without changing their form; these are called adjectival nouns or noun modifiers. In Mando'a, putting one noun before another noun expresses something else entirely. Two nouns next to each other can either be read as “[first noun] is [second noun]” (for standalone sentences) or as “[first noun] containing/composed of [second noun].” (“Containing” and “composed of” are two ways that “of” can be used in English, which are different than how the word be, of, is used in Mando’a.)

As with most of Mando’a, there are exceptions. Certain very common words (such as Mando, darasuum, colors, numbers, and most pronouns) can be used as nouns or descriptors. If a specific list is not available for your dialect, err on the side of avoiding using nouns as adjectives.

Superlatives

The superlative inflection for a descriptor expresses the greatest degree of that word. For most words, to form this inflection, add ne to the end of the descriptor. If the descriptor ends with two of the letter N, drop one of them. Jate is the one exception in the base dictionary; its superlative form is jatne. Some descriptors do not have a superlative form, because such a version doesn’t make sense.

Examples: Laamyc mean “high”; the superlative inflection is laamycne. Tenn means “open”; the superlative inflection is tenne. Tug'yc means “again”; it does not have a superlative form.

Comparisons of inequality

The comparative inflection for a modifier shows how one thing is “more than” another. Some descriptors do not have a comparative form, because such a version doesn’t make sense. In some dialects, forming this inflection depends on the ending of the descriptor (check with your local dialect for their specific rules):

In Mando’a, the thing something is being compared to does not need to be included. However, if using a comparative descriptor in this way, be careful to word the sentence in such a way that the listener will understand that two items are not being compared. Examples: Ibic buyca skotah’shya ibac buyca. (This bucket is shorter than that bucket.) Ni emuuri skotah’shya buyca. (I like the shorter bucket.)

If the comparative comes right before a conjunction or preposition, what something is being compared to is implied. The object of the comparison, in this case, is not whatever comes after the conjunction or preposition. Example: Ni jahaala'shya jorcu gar gaa'tayli ni. (I am healthier because you help me.)

Comparing contents

This section is fan speculation based on what would make the most sense with the given way superlatives are formed. Your preferred dialect might have different grammar rules.

The sentence order for comparing the contents of two things is different than normal: 

Example: Ibic buyc’ika gana pirun ori’shya ibac buyc’ika. (This cup has water more than that cup.)

Comparisons of equality

This section is fan speculation based the dictionary entry for bid ... ibac and research into how English dialects use "so" in comparisons. Your preferred dialect might have different grammar rules.

Mando'a uses bid in a special way to compare two nouns that have similar qualities. Although bid is given the definition of "so (degree)," it is translated as "as" when used in comparisons of equality. Choose one of the following methods based on what you are trying to say. Alternatively, use sa the same way as "as" in English to create a comparison; for example, val sa briikase sa mhi (they are as happy as we are; they are happy in the same degree as we are). Additionally, only use sa with comparisons that contain phrases; for example, val borari sa munit sa mhi laarari (they work as long as we sing; they work for the same amount of time as we sing).