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Lower degree comparative
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The minorative is a periphrastic comparative that is used to express a lower degree, whereas the majorative (the ordinary comparative) is used to express a higher degree.

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The comparative is normally used to express a higher degree (majorative). However, it is also possible to express the opposite relation, that is a lower degree (minorative):

1
a. Wytze is tuker as Rintsje
Wytze is smarter than Rintsje
Wytze is smarter than Rintsje
b. Rintsje is minder tûk as Wytze
Rintsje is less smart than Wytze
Rintsje is less smart than Wytze

The minorative is always formed by putting the word minder less in front of the adjective, just as the majorative may be formed by putting the word mear more in front of the adjective. However, the majorative can also be formed by putting the morpheme -er after the adjective, but there is no comparable morphological means of forming a minorative, nor are there irregular minoratives.

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