Describing and Comparing Things

Hey friend! You've already learned so much German and can build simple sentences. Now it's time to make your German even more exciting! In this chapter, you'll learn how to not just name things, but describe them precisely and beautifully, and even compare them with each other. First, I'll show you when adjectives (those words that describe things) need an ending and when they don't. For example, when you say

This car is beautiful,

the adjective comes without change, but when you say the beautiful car, you need to dress up the adjective with a special ending that matches the noun. Don't worry, it's not hard at all, just a few small rules! You'll also learn how to describe verbs with words like fast or well that don't take endings. After that, we'll dive into comparisons! How do you say something is bigger or faster than something else? By adding -er to the adjective and using 'als'. For instance, if you want to say

This book is better than that book,

you'll learn exactly how to say it! Plus, for the word good, we have a special irregular form, besser, which you must use. And if two things are exactly alike, genauso...wie will come to your rescue. Imagine you're at a restaurant and want to say this dish is tastier or just as good as another. Or you're describing your new home to a friend, saying

its kitchen is bigger than the old one.

After this chapter, you'll be able to speak much more naturally and precisely, express your tastes, describe the world with more detail, and give your opinions on various things. Ready? Let's go!

• 서술적 형용사: 단순한 묘사 (어미 변화 없음)

  연결 동사(sein, werden 등) 뒤에 오는 형용사는 언제나 사전의 «기본형» 그대로! 어미는 «절대» 붙이지 않아요.
• 독일어 형용사 어미: 명사 꾸미기 (Adjektivdeklination)

  명사 앞에 오는 형용사에는 항상 성, 격, 관사에 맞춰서 «꼬리»를 붙여줘야 해요. 꼭 기억하세요!
• 독일어 부사: 어미 변화가 없는 법칙 (Adverbien ohne Endungen)

  독일어 부사는 형용사처럼 형태가 변하거나 꼬리 (어미)가 붙지 않아요. '불변'의 친구들이죠!
• 독일어 비교급: -er 붙이기와 'als' 사용법

  독일어 비교급을 만들 때는 형용사에 -er를 붙이고, 비교할 땐 als를 써요. (-er, als)
• "~보다"를 사용한 비교 (als)

  'als'는 '더 ~하다'는 비교를 할 때, 비교급 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓰는 마법 같은 단어예요. als와 -er만 기억하면 돼요!
• 좋음보다 더 좋음: 불규칙 비교 (gut/besser)

  두 가지를 비교할 때 'gut'에 '-er'를 붙이지 말고, 불규칙 형태인 besser를 항상 사용한다는 점, 꼭 기억하세요! '좋은'은 gut, '더 좋은'은 besser!
• 동등 비교 (genauso...wie)

  두 가지가 «정확히 같다»고 말하고 싶을 때, genauso...wie 다음에 «기본 형용사»를 써보세요.