A2 Adjectives & Adverbs 12 min read Easy

German Comparisons: Adding -er and 'als'

Form the German comparative by adding -er to the adjective and using 'als' for comparison.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

To compare two things in German, add '-er' to the adjective and use 'als' to mean 'than'.

  • Add -er to the adjective: 'schnell' becomes 'schneller'.
  • Use 'als' to connect the two things: 'Ich bin schneller als du.'
  • Watch for umlauts: 'alt' becomes 'älter', 'groß' becomes 'größer'.
Subject + Verb + Adjective-er + als + Object

Overview

German grammar, much like its English counterpart, offers precise tools for expressing comparisons. The comparative degree allows you to state that one item, person, or action possesses a quality to a higher extent than another. At CEFR A2, mastering this concept is fundamental for nuanced communication, moving beyond simple descriptions to articulating preferences, distinctions, and relative states.

You will frequently encounter and need to employ comparatives in everyday conversations, academic discussions, and professional contexts, from selecting the bessere (better) route to work to describing why one das Produkt is effizienter (more efficient) than another. This module focuses on the primary method of forming the comparative with the suffix -er and establishing the comparison with the conjunction als (than).

Linguistically, the formation of comparatives in German reflects a common Germanic pattern, where suffixes are appended directly to the adjective or adverb stem. This direct attachment of -er to the base form (schön → schöner) simplifies the structure compared to languages that might use a separate word like "more" for certain adjectives. Understanding this inherent efficiency of the German system will deepen your comprehension beyond mere memorization.

This grammar point enables you to compare two entities, highlighting an inequality, and is a prerequisite for understanding the superlative degree, which identifies the highest degree among three or more entities.

How This Grammar Works

The core function of the German comparative is to modify an adjective or adverb, indicating a higher degree of a quality. This is achieved by adding the suffix -er to the base form of the adjective or adverb. For example, schnell (fast) becomes schneller (faster), and intelligent (intelligent) becomes intelligenter (more intelligent).
This suffix is remarkably consistent across almost all German adjectives and adverbs, regardless of their length, which streamlines the process significantly for learners. You do not need to ponder whether to use a separate word for "more," as you might in English for longer adjectives.
Once the comparative form of the adjective or adverb is established, the next step is to introduce the object of comparison. This is where the conjunction als comes into play. Als translates directly to "than" in this context and is exclusively used to connect two unequal entities in a comparison.
The structure is straightforward: Subject + conjugated verb + comparative adjective/adverb + als + object of comparison. For instance, Mein der Computer ist schneller als deiner. (My computer is faster than yours.) Here, schneller modifies the verb ist and als links Mein der Computer to deiner, indicating the speed difference.
It is crucial to understand that when a comparative adjective or adverb is used predicatively—meaning it follows a linking verb such as sein (to be), werden (to become), or bleiben (to remain)—it does not take any additional endings. This simplifies its usage considerably at the A2 level. For example, you say Er ist größer als ich. (He is taller than I am.) and not *Er ist größerer als ich. The comparative form größer remains unchanged.
This is a fundamental distinction from attributive adjectives, which precede a noun and require declension. For the purpose of this rule, focus on the predicative use where the comparative form stands alone after the verb, describing the subject.
Consider the sentence: Dieses das das Buch ist interessanter als jenes das das Buch. Here, interessanter is the comparative form of interessant, and als clearly marks the comparison between Dieses das Buch and jenes das Buch. This structure allows you to directly state an observed difference in quality. In contrast, if you wished to state that the two books were equal in interestingness, you would use Dieses das das Buch ist so interessant wie jenes das das Buch., employing so...wie for equality.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming the comparative in German follows specific, largely predictable patterns, with a few crucial exceptions you must commit to memory. The overwhelming majority of adjectives and adverbs simply append the -er suffix to their base form.
2
1. The Standard Suffixation:
3
For most adjectives and adverbs, you simply add -er to the end of the positive (base) form. This is the most common and straightforward rule.
4
| Base Form | Comparative Form | Example Usage | English Translation |
5
|:----------|:-----------------|:--------------|:--------------------|
6
| schnell | schneller | Dieser der Zug fährt schneller. | This train goes faster. |
7
| langsam | langsamer | Ich spreche langsamer jetzt. | I speak slower now. |
8
| neu | neuer | Mein das Auto ist neuer als deins. | My car is newer than yours. |
9
| interessant | interessanter | Die die Vorlesung war interessanter als erwartet. | The lecture was more interesting than expected. |
10
2. Vowel Change (Umlaut):
11
Certain monosyllabic (one-syllable) adjectives, particularly those containing the vowels a, o, or u in their stem, undergo an umlaut in the comparative form. This phonetic shift, rooted in historical linguistic developments, makes the comparative form easier to pronounce and harmonizes the vowel sound with the -er suffix. This rule predominantly applies to "strong" adjectives.
12
| Base Form | Comparative Form | Example Usage | English Translation |
13
|:----------|:-----------------|:--------------|:--------------------|
14
| alt | älter | Er ist älter als ich. | He is older than I am. |
15
| groß | größer | Unser das Haus ist größer als ihr das Haus. | Our house is bigger than their house. |
16
| jung | jünger | Sie sieht jünger aus. | She looks younger. |
17
| kurz | kürzer | Der der Weg ist kürzer als gedacht. | The way is shorter than expected. |
18
| oft | öfter | Ich gehe öfter ins das Kino. | I go to the cinema more often. |
19
Important Exceptions to the Umlaut Rule: Not all monosyllabic adjectives with a, o, or u take an umlaut. Common exceptions include bunt (colorful → bunter), falsch (wrong → falscher), flach (flat → flacher), froh (glad → froher), klar (clear → klarer), knapp (scarce → knapper), laut (loud → lauter), and voll (full → voller). These words typically have historical reasons for not undergoing the umlaut, often related to their origin or specific phonetic structures.
20
3. Stem Truncation (Dropping 'e'):
21
Adjectives and adverbs ending in -el or -er often drop the e from their stem before adding the -er suffix. This truncation prevents an awkward repetition of sounds and maintains phonetic fluidity, making the word easier to pronounce.
22
| Base Form | Comparative Form | Example Usage | English Translation |
23
|:----------|:-----------------|:--------------|:--------------------|
24
| dunkel | dunkler | Es wird schon dunkler draußen. | It's getting darker outside. |
25
| teuer | teurer | Dieses das das Kleid ist teurer als das andere. | This dress is more expensive than the other one. |
26
| sensibel| sensibler | Er ist viel sensibler als man denkt. | He is much more sensitive than one thinks. |
27
4. Irregular Forms:
28
A small but essential group of adjectives and adverbs have completely irregular comparative forms. These are remnants of older linguistic patterns and do not follow the standard suffixation or umlaut rules. You must memorize these forms, as they are frequently used in daily German.
29
| Base Form | Comparative Form | English Translation |
30
|:----------|:-----------------|:--------------------|
31
| gut | besser | better |
32
| viel | mehr | more (quantity) |
33
| hoch | höher | higher |
34
| nah | näher | nearer/closer |
35
| gern | lieber | rather/prefer |
36
Example usage of irregulars: Ich fühle mich heute besser. (I feel better today.) Er hat mehr das Geld als ich. (He has more money than I do.) Ich wohne näher am der Bahnhof. (I live closer to the train station.) Note that hoch changes to höher (with umlaut and ch to h) and nah becomes näher (with umlaut). Gern is technically an adverb, and its comparative lieber expresses preference, as in Ich trinke lieber der Tee als der Kaffee.

When To Use It

The German comparative with -er and als serves a distinct purpose: to express an unequal comparison between two entities based on a specific quality or quantity. You will employ this grammatical structure whenever you need to highlight a difference, state a preference, or rank items. This is a core tool for analytical and opinion-based communication.
1. Expressing Differences in Qualities:
This is the most direct application. When one object or person possesses a characteristic to a greater degree than another, the comparative is indispensable. For instance, Dieses das Handy ist moderner als mein altes das Modell. (This phone is more modern than my old model.) Here, moderner clearly differentiates the two phones based on their modernity.
Another example could be Das das das Wetter ist heute kälter als gestern. (The weather is colder today than yesterday.)
2. Stating Preferences:
Comparatives are fundamental for expressing what you lieber (prefer) or what is besser (better) for you. This often involves the irregular comparative lieber from gern. For example, Ich esse lieber die Pizza als die das Pasta. (I prefer to eat pizza rather than pasta.) Or, Für mich ist die U-Bahn schneller als der Bus. (For me, the subway is faster than the bus.) These sentences directly convey choices based on perceived advantages.
3. Quantifying Differences:
While mehr (more) is an irregular comparative form of viel (much/many) and signifies quantity, it functions similarly to other comparatives in establishing an unequal relationship. You use mehr when comparing countable or uncountable nouns. For example, Sie hat mehr das Erfahrung in diesem der Bereich als ich. (She has more experience in this area than I do.) Or, Wir brauchen mehr das Zeit für dieses das Projekt. (We need more time for this project.)
4. Everyday Scenarios and Modern Contexts:
  • Online Reviews/Shopping: Die die Kamera ist leichter und kompakter als das das Vorgängermodell. (The camera is lighter and more compact than the previous model.) Die die Lieferzeit war schneller als angegeben. (The delivery time was faster than stated.)
  • Social Media: Dein neues Profilbild ist viel schöner! (Your new profile picture is much prettier!) Ich bin heute produktiver gewesen. (I was more productive today.) These often imply an unstated comparison (e.g., "than the old one" or "than I usually am").
  • Work/Academic Discussions: Die die neue Strategie ist effizienter und verspricht höhere Gewinne. (The new strategy is more efficient and promises higher profits.) Deine die Argumentation war überzeugender. (Your argumentation was more convincing.)
Culturally, Germans tend towards directness in communication. The comparative is frequently employed without extensive softening, making clear distinctions and preferences part of typical discourse. Saying X ist besser. is a common, direct way to express an opinion or observation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter specific pitfalls when navigating German comparatives. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying reasons will significantly accelerate your mastery of this grammar point.
1. Misusing mehr with Adjectives:
This is arguably the most frequent error for English speakers. In English, you might say "more beautiful." In German, you do not use mehr before an adjective to form its comparative degree. The -er suffix alone fulfills this function. *mehr schön is incorrect and ungrammatical. Instead, you must use schöner.
  • Incorrect: *Das das das Kleid ist mehr schön als das andere.
  • Correct: Das das das Kleid ist schöner als das andere. (The dress is prettier than the other one.)
Remember, mehr is the comparative of viel and is used for quantity (e.g., mehr das Geld, mehr die Zeit) or with certain adverbs that don't take -er (e.g., mehr lesen, mehr schlafen). Do not confuse qualitative comparison with quantitative comparison.
2. Confusing als and wie:
This is a critical distinction that can alter the meaning of your sentence. Many learners mistakenly interchange als and wie, possibly due to regional dialect influences, but in standard German, their roles are distinct and immutable:
  • als (than): Used exclusively for unequal comparisons. It introduces the second element when there is a difference (A > B or A < B).
  • wie (as): Used exclusively for equal comparisons, typically in the construction so...wie (as...as). It introduces the second element when there is no difference (A = B).
| Type of Comparison | Conjunction | Example | English Translation |
|:-------------------|:------------|:--------|:--------------------|
| Unequal | als | Er ist größer als ich. | He is taller than I am. |
| Equal | so...wie | Er ist so groß wie ich. | He is as tall as I am. |
  • Incorrect: *Sie ist klüger wie ihre die Schwester.
  • Correct: Sie ist klüger als ihre die Schwester. (She is smarter than her sister.)
3. Forgetting Umlauts:
Incorrect
✗Omitting the umlaut on adjectives that require it (e.g., alt
✓älter, groß → größer, jung → jünger) is a common phonetic error. The umlaut changes the vowel sound significantly, and its absence makes the word sound incorrect or even unintelligible to a native speaker. These are not optional variations but integral parts of the comparative form.
  • Incorrect: *Mein der Vater ist alter als dein der Vater.
  • Correct: Mein der Vater ist älter als dein der Vater. (My father is older than your father.)
4. Incorrect Stem Truncation (-el/-er adjectives):
Failing to drop the e in adjectives ending in -el or -er before adding -er results in an awkward-sounding word. For instance, teuer (expensive) becomes teurer, not *teuerer. This rule exists for euphonic reasons.
  • Incorrect: *Das das Handy ist teuerer.
  • Correct: Das das Handy ist teurer. (The phone is more expensive.)
5. Declining Predicative Comparatives:
When a comparative adjective is used predicatively (i.e., it follows a linking verb like sein, werden, bleiben), it never takes an adjective ending. It remains in its bare comparative form. Declension only applies when the comparative adjective precedes a noun (attributive use), which is a more advanced topic.
  • Incorrect: *Das das das Buch ist interessanteres.
  • Correct: Das das das Buch ist interessanter. (The book is more interesting.)

Real Conversations

Understanding grammatical rules is one aspect; observing and practicing their application in authentic communication is another. The comparative degree with -er and als is ubiquitous in spoken and written German, spanning informal chats to more formal exchanges. Here are examples of its natural usage in various contemporary contexts.

1. Casual Conversation (among friends/family):

- `

Comparative Formation

Base Adjective Comparative Note
schnell
schneller
Regular
alt
älter
Umlaut
groß
größer
Umlaut
jung
jünger
Umlaut
gut
besser
Irregular
viel
mehr
Irregular
hoch
höher
Irregular/Umlaut

Meanings

The comparative form is used to express that one entity possesses a quality to a greater degree than another.

1

Direct Comparison

Comparing two distinct items regarding a specific quality.

“{der|m} Hund ist größer als {die|f} Katze.”

“Heute ist es kälter als gestern.”

Reference Table

Reference table for German Comparisons: Adding -er and 'als'
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + Verb + Adj-er + als + Obj
Ich bin größer als er.
Negative
Subj + Verb + nicht + so + Adj + wie + Obj
Ich bin nicht so groß wie er.
Question
Verb + Subj + Adj-er + als + Obj?
Bist du schneller als ich?
Attributive
Adj-er + Endung + Noun
Ein schnelleres {das|n} Auto.
Irregular
Base -> Irregular Form
Das ist besser als das.
Umlaut
Base (a,o,u) -> Umlaut + -er
Er ist älter als ich.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Das {das|n} Fahrzeug ist schneller.

Das {das|n} Fahrzeug ist schneller. (Describing a vehicle)

Neutral
Das {das|n} Auto ist schneller.

Das {das|n} Auto ist schneller. (Describing a vehicle)

Informal
Die {die|f} Karre ist schneller.

Die {die|f} Karre ist schneller. (Describing a vehicle)

Slang
Die {die|f} Kiste zieht besser.

Die {die|f} Kiste zieht besser. (Describing a vehicle)

Comparative Logic

Comparative

Regular

  • schnell fast

Umlaut

  • alt old

Irregular

  • gut good
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Examples by Level

1

Ich bin größer als du.

I am taller than you.

2

Das ist billiger.

That is cheaper.

3

Er ist schneller.

He is faster.

4

Es ist kälter heute.

It is colder today.

1

Mein {das|n} Haus ist älter als dein {das|n} Haus.

My house is older than your house.

2

Dieser {der|m} Film ist besser als der letzte.

This movie is better than the last one.

3

Sie ist klüger als ihr {der|m} Bruder.

She is smarter than her brother.

4

Das Essen ist schärfer als erwartet.

The food is spicier than expected.

1

Ein schnelleres {das|n} Auto kostet mehr Geld.

A faster car costs more money.

2

Er arbeitet härter als seine {die|f} Kollegen.

He works harder than his colleagues.

3

Das ist eine schwierigere {die|f} Aufgabe.

That is a more difficult task.

4

Wir brauchen eine längere {die|f} Pause.

We need a longer break.

1

Je mehr man lernt, desto besser wird man.

The more one learns, the better one becomes.

2

Die Situation ist komplizierter, als wir dachten.

The situation is more complicated than we thought.

3

Er ist ein weitaus erfahrenerer {der|m} Bewerber.

He is a far more experienced applicant.

4

Das Ergebnis ist deutlich positiver als erwartet.

The result is significantly more positive than expected.

1

Die ökonomischen Folgen sind gravierender, als die Politik zugibt.

The economic consequences are more serious than politics admits.

2

Es gibt kaum etwas Erfreulicheres als einen freien Tag.

There is hardly anything more pleasant than a day off.

3

Die architektonische Gestaltung ist anspruchsvoller als beim Vorgängerbau.

The architectural design is more demanding than the predecessor building.

4

Man sollte die Sachlage nüchterner betrachten.

One should view the situation more soberly.

1

Die subtileren Nuancen der Sprache sind oft die bedeutsameren.

The more subtle nuances of language are often the more significant ones.

2

Ein weiserer {der|m} Mann hätte anders gehandelt.

A wiser man would have acted differently.

3

Die Diskrepanz ist eklatanter, als es auf den ersten Blick scheint.

The discrepancy is more blatant than it seems at first glance.

4

Nichts ist beglückender als die Freiheit des Geistes.

Nothing is more gratifying than the freedom of the mind.

Easily Confused

German Comparisons: Adding -er and 'als' vs Als vs. Wie

Learners mix up 'than' and 'as'.

German Comparisons: Adding -er and 'als' vs Mehr vs. -er

Learners use 'mehr' for all adjectives.

German Comparisons: Adding -er and 'als' vs Attributive declension

Forgetting to add endings to the comparative.

Common Mistakes

✗

mehr schnell

✓

schneller

Do not use 'mehr' with simple adjectives.
✗

schnell als

✓

schneller als

Must add -er suffix.
✗

größer wie

✓

größer als

Use 'als' for comparison, not 'wie'.
✗

alter

✓

älter

Forgot the umlaut.
✗

gutere

✓

bessere

Irregular adjective.
✗

mehr gut

✓

besser

Irregular form.
✗

schneller wie

✓

schneller als

Wrong conjunction.
✗

ein schnellerer {der|m} Auto

✓

ein schnelleres {das|n} Auto

Wrong gender/declension.
✗

mehr teuer

✓

teurer

Adjective takes suffix.
✗

größer als ich bin

✓

größer als ich

Avoid unnecessary verb.
✗

je schneller, desto besser

✓

je schneller, desto besser

This is correct, but often learners mess up the word order.
✗

höher als

✓

höher als

Correct, but watch for 'hoch' vs 'höher'.
✗

besser als wie

✓

besser als

Double conjunction.
✗

mehr als

✓

mehr als

Correct, but ensure it's not used with adjectives.

Sentence Patterns

___ ist ___ als ___.

Ich finde, dass ___ ___ als ___ ist.

___ ist nicht so ___ wie ___.

Je ___ , desto ___.

Real World Usage

Social Media constant

Das neue iPhone ist besser als das alte.

Job Interview common

Ich bin erfahrener als die anderen Bewerber.

Travel very common

Der Zug ist schneller als der Bus.

Food Delivery common

Die Pizza ist wärmer als beim letzten Mal.

Shopping very common

Diese {die|f} Jacke ist billiger als jene.

Texting constant

Das war lustiger als gedacht!

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💡

Umlaut Rule

Always check if the adjective has a, o, or u. If it does, it likely needs an umlaut.
⚠️

Don't use 'mehr'

Avoid 'mehr' with simple adjectives. It sounds like a direct translation from English.
🎯

Attributive Endings

When using the comparative as an adjective before a noun, don't forget the declension ending!
💬

Regional Variation

Be aware that in some regions, 'als wie' is used, but stick to 'als' for standard German.

Smart Tips

Always check for the umlaut first.

Das ist alter als das. → Das ist älter als das.

Don't use 'mehr' for adjectives.

Er ist mehr schnell. → Er ist schneller.

Use 'wie' instead of 'als'.

Er ist so groß als ich. → Er ist so groß wie ich.

Remember to add the declension ending.

Ein schnellerer {der|m} Auto. → Ein schnelleres {das|n} Auto.

Pronunciation

ä = /ɛ/, ö = /ø/, ü = /y/

Umlaut

The ä, ö, ü sounds are distinct from a, o, u.

Comparison stress

Er ist SCHNELLER als ich.

Emphasis on the comparative quality.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ER' as 'Extra Results'. When you want extra results, you add -er.

Visual Association

Imagine a tall man standing next to a short man. The tall man has a giant 'ER' floating above his head.

Rhyme

To say something is more, add -er to the core, then add 'als' to open the door.

Story

Hans is small. He eats magic beans. Suddenly, he grows. He looks at his friend and says, 'I am bigger now!' He adds an 'er' to his shirt and shouts 'als' to the sky.

Word Web

schnellergrößerälterbessermehrals

Challenge

Write 5 sentences comparing objects in your room (e.g., 'My lamp is brighter than my phone').

Cultural Notes

Germans are very direct with comparisons in business.

Austrians often use 'als wie' in colloquial speech, though it is grammatically incorrect.

Swiss German often avoids the comparative suffix in favor of 'mehr' + adjective in some dialects.

The -er suffix comes from Proto-Germanic *-izōn.

Conversation Starters

“

Was ist besser: Kaffee oder Tee?

“

Ist dein {das|n} Handy neu?

“

Was ist schwieriger: Deutsch oder Englisch?

“

Ist das Leben heute besser als früher?

Journal Prompts

Compare your city to your hometown.
Compare two movies you have seen recently.
Compare your current job with a previous one.
Write about why learning German is more challenging than other languages.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the comparative form.

Er ist ___ (schnell) als ich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: schneller
Add -er to the adjective.
Choose the correct conjunction. Multiple Choice

Sie ist größer ___ ihr Bruder.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: als
Use 'als' for comparisons.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist mehr gut als das.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist besser als das.
'Gut' is irregular.
Order the words. Sentence Building

als / ist / größer / mein / dein / Haus / Haus

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mein Haus ist größer als dein Haus.
Standard word order.
True or False? True False Rule

Adjectives with 'a' often take an umlaut in the comparative.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, 'alt' becomes 'älter'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Ist das Wetter heute besser? B: Ja, es ist ___ als gestern.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: schöner
Comparative form.
Sort into Regular and Irregular. Grammar Sorting

Sort: schnell, gut, alt, viel.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Regular: schnell, alt; Irregular: gut, viel
Correct categorization.
Match base to comparative. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: größer, jünger, klüger
Correct umlaut forms.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the comparative form.

Er ist ___ (schnell) als ich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: schneller
Add -er to the adjective.
Choose the correct conjunction. Multiple Choice

Sie ist größer ___ ihr Bruder.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: als
Use 'als' for comparisons.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist mehr gut als das.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist besser als das.
'Gut' is irregular.
Order the words. Sentence Building

als / ist / größer / mein / dein / Haus / Haus

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mein Haus ist größer als dein Haus.
Standard word order.
True or False? True False Rule

Adjectives with 'a' often take an umlaut in the comparative.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, 'alt' becomes 'älter'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Ist das Wetter heute besser? B: Ja, es ist ___ als gestern.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: schöner
Comparative form.
Sort into Regular and Irregular. Grammar Sorting

Sort: schnell, gut, alt, viel.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Regular: schnell, alt; Irregular: gut, viel
Correct categorization.
Match base to comparative. Match Pairs

Match: groß, jung, klug.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: größer, jünger, klüger
Correct umlaut forms.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

8 exercises
Compare the ages (alt). Fill in the Blank

Mein Opa ist ___ als mein Vater.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: älter
Translate to German: 'The pizza is more expensive than the pasta.' Translation

The pizza is more expensive than the pasta.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Pizza ist teurer als die Pasta.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

als / ist / Bruder / mein / ich / kleiner

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mein Bruder ist kleiner als ich.
Match the adjective with its comparative form. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viel - mehr
Select the correct way to express preference. Multiple Choice

Which one is right?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich trinke lieber Kaffee als Tee.
Fix the comparison word. Error Correction

Ein Flugzeug ist schneller wie ein Zug.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ein Flugzeug ist schneller als ein Zug.
Compare the light (dunkel). Fill in the Blank

Im Winter ist es ___ als im Sommer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dunkler
Translate: 'He is taller than his friend.' Translation

He is taller than his friend.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er ist größer als sein Freund.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

Use 'mehr' for long adjectives or when you want to emphasize quantity, not quality.

Only for short adjectives with a, o, or u.

Yes, for inequality. Use 'wie' for equality.

You still add -er, e.g., 'teurer'.

Yes, if the context is clear.

It's a common historical irregularity.

Use the same structure: 'Er ist größer als sie.'

'Besser' is 'better', 'mehr' is 'more'.

Scaffolded Practice

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2

2

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4

4

Mastery Progress

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

más + adj + que

German uses a suffix; Spanish uses a separate word.

French moderate

plus + adj + que

German uses a suffix; French uses a separate word.

English high

-er / more + adj

German is more consistent with the -er suffix.

Japanese low

A wa B yori adj

Japanese structure is completely different.

Arabic low

af'al min

Arabic uses a template-based system.

Chinese low

A bi B adj

Chinese uses a verb-based comparison.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
German Adverbs: The "No-Ending" Heroes (Adverbien ohne Endungen)
Next
Comparing Things with "Than" (als)

Continue With

A2 Requires

Comparing Things with "Than" (als)

Overview Comparing things is a fundamental aspect of communication, allowing you to express preferences, highlight diffe...
A2 Builds On

Better Than Good: Irregular Comparison (gut/besser)

Overview German, like English, relies on a system of comparison to express varying degrees of qualities or actions. For...

Related Grammar Rules

B2

Making Guesses with "wohl" (Probably)

Overview German, like many languages, possesses small but powerful words that imbue sentences with nuance, attitude, and...
B2

German Modal Particles: 'halt' & 'eben' (it is what it is)

Overview German modal particles, or *Abtönungspartikeln*, are small, uninflected words that do not change a sentence's...
B2

The 'Right Now' Particle: Using gerade

Overview German, unlike English, does not possess a dedicated continuous tense to express actions happening at the preci...
C1

German Understatement: Not Bad! (Litotes)

Overview German, like many languages, employs rhetorical devices to convey meaning beyond a literal interpretation. One...
B1

German Adjectives after 'viele' and 'einige'

Overview German adjective declension is a system of remarkable precision, and the patterns following indefinite pronoun...
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