A2 · Grundkenntnisse Kapitel 19

Comparison and Superlatives

4 Gesamtregeln
1 Min.
Regeln in diesem Kapitel Schnelle Übung

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of weighing options and finding the best of the best in Indonesian.

  • Compare two items using the word 'lebih' (more).
  • Identify the ultimate choice using 'paling' (most).
  • Express equality between things using the prefix 'se-'.
  • Add depth to comparisons with intensifiers like 'jauh' (far).
Better, Best, and Equal: Navigating choices in Indonesian.

Was du lernen wirst

Expands on comparative structures using 'lebih' and 'paling'. Covers equal comparisons with 'se-'.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Compare the prices of two items at a market using 'lebih' and 'daripada'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Identify the 'best' or 'cheapest' option in a group using 'paling'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Describe two things as being 'as good as' or 'as tall as' each other using 'se-'.

Tipps & Tricks (3)

💡

Don't overthink

Indonesian comparatives are easier than English. No suffixes!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparative 'Lebih'
💡

Keep it simple

Don't add suffixes. Just use 'paling' + word.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlative 'Paling'
💡

Think 'One'

Remember that 'se-' comes from 'satu' (one). It means 'one-level' or 'same-level'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Equal Comparison 'Se-'

Wichtige Vokabeln (6)

mahal expensive murah cheap bagus good / nice cepat fast tinggi tall / high enak delicious

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

At the Fruit Market

Review Summary

  • [A] + lebih + [Adjective] + daripada + [B]
  • paling + [Adjective]
  • se + [Adjective] + [Target]

Häufige Fehler

While 'dari' is common in slang, 'daripada' is the correct formal preposition for comparisons to avoid confusion with 'from'.

Wrong: Mobil ini lebih besar dari motor itu.
Richtig: Mobil ini lebih besar daripada motor itu.

The prefix 'ter-' and the word 'paling' both mean 'most'. Using both is redundant. Pick one.

Wrong: Makanan ini paling terenak.
Richtig: Makanan ini paling enak. (OR: Makanan ini terenak.)

To say 'as tall as', use the prefix 'se-' attached directly to the adjective.

Wrong: Dia sama tinggi saya.
Richtig: Dia setinggi saya.

Next Steps

You've just unlocked a huge part of everyday conversation. Being able to compare things makes your Indonesian sound much more natural and functional. Keep practicing!

Go to a grocery store (or website) and compare the prices of three fruits in Indonesian.

Continue to: Active Verb Prefixes

Schnelle Übung (10)

Fill in the blank.

Kopi ini ___ panas dari teh.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lebih
Lebih is the comparative marker.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparative 'Lebih'

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Ini adalah paling besar rumah.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ini adalah rumah paling besar
Paling goes before adjective.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparative Nuances

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Dia lebih pintar-an dari saya.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dia lebih pintar dari saya
No suffixes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparative 'Lebih'

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dia lebih tinggi dari saya
Needs the connector 'dari'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparative Nuances

Fill in the blank.

Kopi ini ___ panas dari teh.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lebih
Comparative structure.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparative Nuances

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Dia paling pintarnya.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dia paling pintar.
No suffix needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlative 'Paling'

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Dia lebih setinggi saya.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dia setinggi saya
Remove 'lebih'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Equal Comparison 'Se-'

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dia lebih tinggi dari saya
Correct structure.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparative 'Lebih'

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dia paling tinggi.
Correct word order.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlative 'Paling'

Choose the correct form.

Mana yang benar?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sebesar
No space allowed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Equal Comparison 'Se-'

Score: /10

Häufige Fragen (6)

Yes, it works for all adjectives.
Yes, it is preferred in formal writing.
Yes, it works with almost all adjectives.
It's neutral and used everywhere.
Yes, it is very productive and works with almost all descriptive adjectives.
No, it just adds the comparative 'as... as' meaning.
Vorheriges Kapitel
Planning the Future
Nächstes Kapitel
Active Verb Prefixes
Zurück zur Roadmap