Comparative and Superlative
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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