A2 Norwegian GrammarComparatives & Superlatives
Learn how to compare things in Norwegian using comparative (-ere) and superlative (-est) forms. Master both regular patterns and common irregular forms.
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1Forming Comparatives (-ere)
Norwegian comparatives are formed by adding -ere to the adjective. This is similar to English "-er" (bigger, faster). The same form is used regardless of the noun's gender or number. Base form: stor (big) → Comparative: større (bigger). Many short adjectives follow this pattern.
Examples
Hun er høyere enn meg.
She is taller than me.
høy → høyere (tall → taller)
Denne bilen er raskere.
This car is faster.
rask → raskere
Oslo er større enn Bergen.
Oslo is bigger than Bergen.
stor → større
Det er billigere her.
It's cheaper here.
billig → billigere
2Forming Superlatives (-est)
Superlatives are formed by adding -est to the adjective. When used before a noun, add the definite article "den/det/de" and the adjective takes -e ending: "den største". Superlative alone: størst (biggest). Before noun: den største bilen (the biggest car).
Examples
Han er høyest i klassen.
He is the tallest in the class.
høy → høyest (superlative alone)
Det er det største huset.
It is the biggest house.
det største (neuter + superlative)
Hun er den raskeste løperen.
She is the fastest runner.
den raskeste (with noun)
Dette er den beste restauranten.
This is the best restaurant.
den beste (irregular superlative)
3Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
Some common adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms that must be memorized. The most important are: god/bra → bedre → best (good → better → best), dårlig → verre → verst (bad → worse → worst), liten → mindre → minst (small → smaller → smallest), stor → større → størst (big), gammel → eldre → eldst (old).
Examples
Denne filmen er bedre enn den andre.
This movie is better than the other one.
god → bedre (irregular)
Det var det verste været.
It was the worst weather.
dårlig → verst (irregular)
Min bror er eldre enn meg.
My brother is older than me.
gammel → eldre (irregular)
Jeg har minst penger.
I have the least money.
liten → minst (irregular)
4Making Comparisons with 'enn'
To compare two things, use "enn" (than) after the comparative. Norwegian uses "enn" like English uses "than". For equal comparisons, use "like ... som" (as ... as) or "like" alone for "equally".
Examples
Kaffe er dyrere enn te.
Coffee is more expensive than tea.
Comparative + enn
Han løper raskere enn meg.
He runs faster than me.
enn = than
Hun er like høy som meg.
She is as tall as me.
like ... som = as ... as
Det er ikke like kaldt i dag.
It's not as cold today.
ikke like = not as
5Long Adjectives: Mer and Mest
For longer adjectives (typically 3+ syllables), Norwegian uses "mer" (more) and "mest" (most) instead of -ere/-est endings. This is similar to English "more interesting, most interesting". Example: interessant → mer interessant → mest interessant.
Examples
Denne boka er mer interessant.
This book is more interesting.
mer + adjective for longer words
Det var den mest spennende filmen.
It was the most exciting movie.
mest + adjective
Hun er mer tĂĄlmodig enn ham.
She is more patient than him.
mer tĂĄlmodig (more patient)
Det er det mest fantastiske jeg har sett.
It's the most fantastic thing I've seen.
mest fantastiske (superlative)
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'Hun er ___ enn meg.' (She is taller than me.)
Complete: 'Oslo er ___ enn Bergen.' (Oslo is bigger than Bergen.)
Complete: 'Han er ___ i klassen.' (He is the tallest in the class.)
What is the comparative of 'god' (good)?
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