Comparative and Superlative
Learn how German adjectives form comparative and superlative degrees and how to compare with als, wie, and nicht so ... wie.
Explanation
Three degrees of comparison
| Degree | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | basic form or equality | schnell; so schnell wie |
| Comparative | difference between two things | schneller als |
| Superlative | highest degree in a group | am schnellsten; der schnellste Zug |
Forming the degrees
The comparative normally adds **-er**: klein → kleiner. The adverbial superlative uses **am + -sten**: klein → am kleinsten. Before a noun, the superlative is declined: **der kleinste Koffer**, **mit dem kleinsten Koffer**.
After **-d, -t, -s, -ß, -sch, -x, -z**, the superlative often uses **-esten**: laut → am lautesten, heiß → am heißesten. In adjectives ending in **-el** or **-er**, an unstressed *e* may disappear: dunkel → dunkler, teuer → teurer.
Many short adjectives with **a, o, u** take an umlaut: alt → älter → am ältesten; groß → größer → am größten; jung → jünger → am jüngsten. This does not apply to every adjective.
Important irregular forms:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| gut | besser | am besten |
| viel | mehr | am meisten |
| gern | lieber | am liebsten |
| hoch | höher | am höchsten |
| nah | näher | am nächsten |
Comparisons
- Difference: **A ist größer als B.**
- Equality: **A ist so groß wie B.** / **genauso groß wie B.**
- Negative equality: **A ist nicht so groß wie B.**
- Highest degree: **A ist am größten.**
**Remember:** use **als** with the comparative and **wie** with equality. A comparison phrase may follow the closing part of a verb frame: **Mia ist schneller gelaufen als Tom.**
Comparison phrases in the post-field
With a **verbal bracket**, a comparison phrase introduced by **als** or **wie** can follow the closing verb part. This area is called the **post-field (Nachfeld)**.
| Left bracket | Middle field | Right bracket | Post-field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Der Kurs **hat** | länger | **gedauert** | **als geplant**. |
| Lea **sieht** | heute genauso fröhlich | **aus** | **wie gestern**. |
The comparison phrase belongs semantically to the comparison but stands outside the verbal bracket. This keeps the bracket easy to recognize. Use **als** for a difference and **wie** for equality: **mehr als**, **schneller als**, but **so/genauso ... wie**.
Exercises
- Match each adjective with its comparative and superlative forms. (1)
- Place the correct forms from the word bank. Use each form once. (1)
- Form the requested degree. Type only the missing form. (10)
- Turn the cue into a complete comparison sentence. (10)
- Match each sentence beginning with the correct comparison phrase in the post-field. Pay attention to als and wie. (1)
- Build complete sentences. Place the als/wie comparison phrase after the closing verb form. (10)
A2 · German · Grammar