The comparative (Komparativ) and superlative (Superlativ) forms are used to compare people, things, or qualities.
Examples:
- Comparative: Mein Auto ist schneller als dein Auto. (My car is faster than your car.)
- Superlative: Das ist das schnellste Auto der Welt. (That is the fastest car in the world.)
Forming the Comparative
The comparative is formed by simply adding -er to the adjective stem.
Formation Pattern: adjective stem + -er
- schnell → schneller
- klein → kleiner
- interessant → interessanter
Adjective | Comparative | Example Sentence |
klein (small) | kleiner | Das Haus ist kleiner als die Wohnung.
(The house is smaller than the apartment.) |
laut (loud) | lauter | Die Musik ist lauter als gestern.
(The music is louder than yesterday.) |
langsam (slow) | langsamer | Bitte sprich langsamer!
(Please speak more slowly!) |
Umlaut Changes in Comparative
Many common one-syllable adjectives with a, o, or u take an umlaut (ä, ö, ü) in the comparative form.
- alt → älter
- kurz → kürzer
- stark → stärker
- kalt → kälter
Comparative with Adjective Endings
When comparative or superlative adjectives come before a noun, they must take the appropriate adjective endings just like regular adjectives.
Pattern: The comparative form is created first, then the adjective ending is added to it.
- schneller + ending → ein schnellerer Zug (a faster train)
Example | English Translation |
Ich brauche einen größeren Koffer. | I need a bigger suitcase. |
Sie sucht eine billigere Wohnung. | She is looking for a cheaper apartment. |
Wir kaufen ein schnelleres Auto. | We are buying a faster car. |
Er hat bessere Noten als ich. | He has better grades than I do. |
Forming the Superlative
The superlative in German has two different forms depending on how it's used:
1. Superlative with am
When the superlative comes after the verb (predicate position), use the pattern:
Formation Pattern: am + adjective stem + -sten
- schnell → am schnellsten (fastest)
- klein → am kleinsten (smallest)
Example | English Translation |
Dieses Auto ist am schnellsten. | This car is the fastest. |
Im Sommer ist es am heißesten. | In summer it is the hottest. |
Er arbeitet am fleißigsten. | He works the most diligently. |
Sie singt am schönsten. | She sings the most beautifully. |
Spelling Rule: When the adjective ends in -d, -t, -s, -ß, -x, or -z, add -esten for easier pronunciation:
- laut → am lautesten (loudest)
- heiß → am heißesten (hottest)
- kurz → am kürzesten (shortest)
2. Superlative Before Nouns
When the superlative comes directly before a noun, it uses a definite article and takes adjective endings:
Formation Pattern: definite article + adjective stem + -st + adjective ending
- der schnellste Mann (the fastest man)
- die schönste Frau (the most beautiful woman)
- das größte Haus (the biggest house)
Example | English Translation |
Das ist der schnellste Zug. | That is the fastest train. |
Sie ist die beste Studentin. | She is the best student. |
Er kauft das teuerste Auto. | He buys the most expensive car. |
Wir besuchen die ältesten Kirchen. | We visit the oldest churches. |
The superlative before nouns follows the same weak declension rules as regular adjectives with definite articles.
Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
Some common adjectives have completely irregular comparative and superlative forms. These must be memorized.
Adjective | Comparative | Superlative (am) | Superlative (before noun) |
gut (good) | besser | am besten | der/die/das beste |
viel (much/many) | mehr | am meisten | der/die/das meiste |
gern(e) (gladly) | lieber | am liebsten | — |
hoch (high) | höher | am höchsten | der/die/das höchste |
nah(e) (near) | näher | am nächsten | der/die/das nächste |
The irregular forms gut → besser → am besten and viel → mehr → am meisten are extremely common.
- Dein Plan ist besser als meiner → Your plan is better than mine.
- Ich esse lieber Pizza als Pasta → I prefer to eat pizza over pasta.
- Das ist die beste Idee! → That is the best idea!
- Ich trinke am liebsten Kaffee → I like drinking coffee the most
Making Comparisons
Comparative Comparisons with als (than)
Use als to express "than" when comparing two things:
- Er ist größer als sein Bruder → He is taller than his brother
- Berlin ist größer als München → Berlin is bigger than Munich
Equality Comparisons with so ... wie (as ... as)
Use so ... wie to express that two things are equal:
- Er ist so groß wie sein Bruder → He is as tall as his brother
- Sie singt so schön wie ihre Mutter → She sings as beautifully as her mother