Comparative & Superlative Adjectives
Comparative and superlative forms allow you to compare things and express degrees of quality.
The comparative compares two things (bigger, better), while the superlative expresses the highest degree (the biggest, the best).
This comprehensive lesson covers both forms, their formation, usage, and common patterns in German.
Explanation
Comparative: Add '-er' to the base form. Use 'als' (than) for comparisons: 'größer als' (bigger than).
Superlative: Add '-sten' for predicative use (am größten) or '-ste' for attributive use (der größte).
Many adjectives add an umlaut in comparative and superlative: groß → größer → am größten.
Irregular forms include: gut → besser → am besten, viel → mehr → am meisten, gern → lieber → am liebsten.
Complete Comparison Forms
| Base | Comparative | Superlative (predicative) | Superlative (attributive) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| groß | größer | am größten | der größte | groß → größer → am größten |
| schnell | schneller | am schnellsten | der schnellste | schnell → schneller → am schnellsten |
| schön | schöner | am schönsten | die schönste | schön → schöner → am schönsten |
| alt | älter | am ältesten | der älteste | alt → älter → am ältesten |
| gut | besser | am besten | der beste | gut → besser → am besten |
Using Comparatives
Comparatives are used with 'als' (than) to compare two things. They can be used attributively or predicatively.
Examples: 'Dieser Tisch ist größer als jener' (This table is bigger than that one), 'ein größeres Haus' (a bigger house).
Er ist größer als sein Bruder.
He is taller than his brother.
Sie läuft schneller als ich.
She runs faster than I do.
Das ist ein besseres Buch.
That is a better book.
Using Superlatives
Superlatives express the highest degree. Use 'am -sten' after verbs, or 'der/die/das -ste' before nouns.
Examples: 'Dieser Tisch ist am größten' (This table is the biggest), 'der größte Tisch' (the biggest table).
Das ist der größte Tisch.
That is the biggest table.
Sie läuft am schnellsten.
She runs the fastest.
Er ist der beste Schüler.
He is the best student.
Examples
Dieser Tisch ist größer als jener, aber jener ist am größten.
This table is bigger than that one, but that one is the biggest.
Sie ist die schönste Frau und läuft am schnellsten.
She is the most beautiful woman and runs the fastest.
Das ist das beste Buch, besser als alle anderen.
That is the best book, better than all others.
Er ist älter als ich, aber sie ist am ältesten.
He is older than I am, but she is the oldest.
Common Mistakes
mehr groß
größer
Use '-er' form for comparatives, not 'mehr' + adjective. 'Mehr' is only for 'viel'.
am großsten
am größten
Superlative of 'groß' needs umlaut: 'am größten', not 'am großsten'.
der großte
der größte
Attributive superlative needs '-ste' ending and umlaut: 'der größte'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.