Comparatives & Superlatives
Learn how to compare things in German using comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs. Master regular patterns and common irregular forms.
1Forming the Comparative
The comparative in German is formed by adding -er to the adjective, similar to English. When used before a noun, the adjective also takes the regular adjective endings after the -er suffix. Many one-syllable adjectives with a, o, or u add an umlaut in the comparative: alt→älter, groß→größer, jung→jünger. This is a key difference from English.
Examples
Mein Auto ist schneller als deins.
My car is faster than yours.
schnell → schneller (regular)
Er ist älter als ich.
He is older than me.
alt → älter (umlaut added)
Das ist eine größere Wohnung.
That is a bigger apartment.
groß → größer + adjective ending -e
Ich brauche einen längeren Urlaub.
I need a longer vacation.
lang → länger + ending -en
2Forming the Superlative
The superlative in German is formed with am + adjective + sten, or with the definite article + adjective + ste(n) when before a noun. The same umlaut rules apply as for comparatives. Use "am schnellsten" for predicative use (after sein) and "der/die/das schnellste" when modifying a noun directly.
Examples
Das ist am besten.
That is the best.
am + Superlativ for predicative use
Er läuft am schnellsten.
He runs the fastest.
am schnellsten - superlative adverb
Das ist das größte Haus.
That is the biggest house.
das größte - before noun (neuter)
Sie ist die jüngste Schwester.
She is the youngest sister.
die jüngste - before noun (feminine)
3Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
Some common adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms that must be memorized. The most important are: gut→besser→am besten (good), viel→mehr→am meisten (much/many), gern→lieber→am liebsten (gladly/like to). These irregular forms are used very frequently, so mastering them is essential for natural German.
Examples
Dieses Buch ist besser als das andere.
This book is better than the other one.
gut → besser (irregular)
Ich habe mehr Zeit als du.
I have more time than you.
viel → mehr (irregular)
Am liebsten esse ich Pizza.
I like eating pizza the most.
gern → am liebsten (favorite)
Das war der beste Tag.
That was the best day.
gut → beste (superlative before noun)
4Making Comparisons
To compare two things, use "als" (than) after the comparative. For equal comparisons, use "so ... wie" (as ... as) or "genauso ... wie" (just as ... as). Note that German uses "als" for "than" in comparisons, not "wie" - this is a common mistake for learners.
Examples
Berlin ist größer als München.
Berlin is bigger than Munich.
Comparative + als for 'than'
Sie ist so alt wie ich.
She is as old as me.
so + Adj + wie for 'as...as'
Das ist genauso teuer wie das andere.
That is just as expensive as the other one.
genauso...wie for emphasis
Er arbeitet mehr als sie.
He works more than her.
mehr als with verbs
5Comparative and Superlative with Adverbs
Adverbs (words that modify verbs, like 'quickly', 'well') form comparatives and superlatives the same way as adjectives. However, they don't take adjective endings since they don't modify nouns. The superlative of adverbs always uses the "am + -sten" form, never the "der/die/das" form.
Examples
Sie spricht schneller als ich.
She speaks faster than me.
schnell → schneller (adverb)
Er singt lauter.
He sings louder.
laut → lauter (adverb)
Wer kommt am häufigsten?
Who comes the most often?
häufig → am häufigsten
Sie tanzt am besten.
She dances the best.
gut → am besten (irregular adverb)