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Comparatives allow you to compare two things, saying that one has more of a quality than the other. German comparatives follow clear rules with some important irregular forms. This lesson covers comparative formation, usage patterns, and the key difference between unequal comparisons (größer als) and equal comparisons (so groß wie).
The basic rule for forming the comparative in German:
Adjective + -er
| Positive | Comparative | English |
|---|---|---|
| klein | kleiner | smaller |
| schnell | schneller | faster |
| langsam | langsamer | slower |
| billig | billiger | cheaper |
| interessant | interessanter | more interesting |
| schön | schöner | more beautiful |
| freundlich | freundlicher | friendlier |
| wichtig | wichtiger | more important |
Unlike English, German always adds -er — there is no equivalent of "more interesting" with a separate word. Interessanter, not mehr interessant.
Many common one-syllable adjectives add an umlaut (ä, ö, ü) in the comparative:
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