B2 Adjectives & Adverbs 14 min read Easy

Equality Comparisons (so... wie)

Always use so... wie with base adjectives to express equality; save als for differences and comparatives.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'so [adjective] wie' to say two things are equal, and 'nicht so [adjective] wie' to say they are not.

  • Use 'so + Adjective + wie' for equality: 'Er ist so groß wie ich.'
  • Use 'nicht so + Adjective + wie' for inequality: 'Das ist nicht so teuer wie gedacht.'
  • The adjective remains in its base form (positive degree), never comparative.
so + ADJ + wie

Overview

German equality comparisons, particularly with so... wie, are fundamental for expressing that two entities share a specific quality or characteristic to an identical degree. At the B2 level, you move beyond basic descriptions to making nuanced judgments and drawing precise parallels.

This construction is your primary tool for stating that something is "as [adjective/adverb] as" something else, establishing a baseline of sameness. It allows for sophisticated comparative analysis, essential when discussing complex topics, evaluating options, or expressing agreement or disagreement with precision. Conceptually, `so...

wie functions as a linguistic equals sign, confirming that the qualities of A and B` are perfectly aligned. Understanding its underlying structure and nuanced applications is key to expressing balanced thoughts in German.

How This Grammar Works

The core of an equality comparison lies in the structure so + Adjektiv/Adverb + wie. Each component serves a distinct grammatical purpose. The word so acts as an intensifying adverb, signaling the extent or degree of the quality being described.
It sets the stage for the comparison. Following this, the adjective or adverb describes the shared quality and critically remains in its base (positive) form. It does not take comparative (-er) or superlative (-st) endings when used predicatively, meaning it appears after a verb like sein (to be), werden (to become), or bleiben (to remain).
The conjunction wie then connects the first element of the comparison to the second, meaning "as" or "like." Together, they form an unbreakable comparative frame.
For enhanced precision, German offers several intensifiers that modify the degree of equality:
  • genauso... wie: This translates to "exactly as... as" or "just as... as." It emphasizes absolute, perfect equivalence. This is frequently used in spoken German for emphasis.
  • Example: Dein das Feedback war genauso hilfreich wie seine. (Your feedback was just as helpful as his.)
  • ebenso... wie: Similar in meaning to genauso... wie, conveying "just as... as." It is often considered slightly more formal or literary, though still common in everyday use.
  • Example: Die die neue die Strategie ist ebenso vielversprechend wie die alte. (The new strategy is just as promising as the old one.)
  • fast so... wie: Meaning "almost as... as," this construction indicates a near but not complete equality. It introduces a subtle nuance of approximation, highlighting a slight difference.
  • Example: Die die zweite die Prüfung war fast so schwer wie die erste. (The second exam was almost as difficult as the first.)
  • nicht so... wie: This negation expresses a lack of equality, indicating "not as... as." It is a common and often polite way to suggest inferiority without direct confrontation. It softens the direct comparative "worse than" or "less than."
  • Example: Das das Wetter ist heute nicht so schön wie gestern. (The weather today isn't as nice as yesterday.)
Understanding these variations allows you to fine-tune your comparisons, reflecting the exact relationship between the entities in question. The consistent use of the base form for the adjective/adverb in predicative contexts is crucial for correct application of this pattern.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming equality comparisons with so... wie follows a clear, predictable structure. The primary application is in predicative use, where the adjective or adverb describes the subject or object after a verb. However, at B2, you must also be aware of attributive use, where the adjective modifies a noun directly and therefore requires declension.
2
1. Predicative Use (Adjective/Adverb in Base Form)
3
This is the most common application. The adjective or adverb directly follows the so phrase and precedes wie, remaining uninflected. It functions as a predicate adjective or adverb, describing a state or manner.
4
Structure:
5
Subject 1 + Conjugated Verb + [so | genauso | ebenso | fast so | nicht so] + Base Form of Adjective/Adverb + wie + Subject/Object 2
6
Example Breakdown:
7
Der neue der Laptop (Subject 1) ist (Conjugated Verb) genauso (Intensifier) schnell (Base Adjective) wie (Conjunction) das alte das Modell. (Subject 2)
8
Case Agreement after wie: A vital aspect of this construction is maintaining case consistency. The noun or pronoun following wie must be in the same grammatical case as the noun or pronoun it is being compared to earlier in the sentence. This ensures clarity and grammatical correctness.
9
| Compared Element's Case | Example Phrase | Explanation |
10
| :--------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
11
| Nominative | Ich bin so müde wie du. | Ich (Nom.) compared to du (Nom.) |
12
| Accusative | Sie mag ihn so gern wie mich. | ihn (Acc.) compared to mich (Acc.). Meaning: She likes him as much as she likes me. |
13
| Dative | Ich helfe dir so oft wie ihm. | dir (Dat.) compared to ihm (Dat.). Meaning: I help you as often as I help him. |
14
| Genitive | Die die Qualität des der Weins war so gut wie die des Essens. | die Qualität des der Weins (Nom. + Gen. attribute) compared to {die des Essens} (Nom. + Gen. attribute).|
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2. Attributive Use (Adjective Declension Required)
16
When so... wie is used to describe a noun directly as an attributive adjective, the adjective must take the appropriate adjective endings based on gender, number, and case, just like any other adjective preceding a noun. This is a common point of confusion for B2 learners.
17
Structure:
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ein/eine [so | genauso | ebenso] + Declined Adjective + Noun + wie + Noun/Pronoun
19
Example:
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Sie hat ein genauso schönes das Auto wie ihr Bruder. (She has a car just as beautiful as her brother's.)
21
Here, schönes takes the -es ending because das Auto is neuter, singular, and in the accusative case (direct object). This contrasts sharply with the predicative use where schön would remain uninflected.
22
It is vital to distinguish between these two uses to apply the correct adjective form. If the adjective precedes a noun it describes, it needs an ending; otherwise (after a verb), it does not.

When To Use It

So... wie serves a broad range of comparative functions, from simple daily observations to complex professional assessments. Mastering its application enhances your ability to express nuanced similarities and differences in various contexts.
1. Comparing Qualities: The most direct use is to state that two entities possess a particular quality to an equal degree.
  • Example: Deine die Wohnung ist so groß wie meine. (Your apartment is as big as mine.)
  • Example: Die die Aufgabe war nicht so komplex wie erwartet. (The task wasn't as complex as expected.)
2. Expressing Near-Equality or Softened Inequality: By integrating fast so or nicht so, you can express slight deviations from perfect equality.
  • Fast so... wie implies a very close, but not exact, match.
  • Example: Die die neue die Software ist fast so intuitiv wie die alte. (The new software is almost as intuitive as the old one.)
  • Nicht so... wie is a common, less direct way to express that something is inferior without using a harsher comparative form like schlechter als.
  • Example: Der der Service hier ist nicht so schnell wie in anderen die Cafés. (The service here isn't as fast as in other cafés.) This is often preferred for politeness or to soften criticism.
3. Quantitative Comparisons (with viel/wenig): This structure is indispensable for comparing amounts or frequencies. You can also use specific multipliers.
  • General quantities:
  • Example: Er hat so viel das Geld wie ein Banker. (He has as much money as a banker.)
  • Example: Wir haben nicht so viele die Aufgaben wie letzte Woche. (We don't have as many tasks as last week.) Note the declension of viele because die Aufgaben is a plural noun.
  • Specific multipliers:
  • doppelt so viel/oft wie: "twice as much/often as"
  • Example: Sie ist doppelt so groß wie ihr kleiner Bruder. (She is twice as tall as her little brother.)
  • halb so groß/alt wie: "half as big/old as"
  • Example: Mein das neues das Handy ist halb so teuer wie mein altes. (My new phone is half as expensive as my old one.)
4. Referring to Manner or Behavior: When so... wie includes an adverb, it compares how actions are performed.
  • Example: Sie tanzt so elegant wie eine Ballerina. (She dances as elegantly as a ballerina.)
  • Example: Er spricht Deutsch genauso fließend wie seine die Lehrerin. (He speaks German just as fluently as his teacher.)
So... wie is a versatile construction that enables precise and nuanced comparisons, moving beyond simple statements of fact into detailed observations about equivalence or near-equivalence.

Common Mistakes

Even at B2, learners frequently make specific errors with so... wie. Identifying and understanding these pitfalls is crucial for accurate and natural German communication.
1. Confusing als with wie: This is arguably the most common and persistent error. The distinction is absolute and fundamental.
  • Rule: Use als only for inequality (with comparative adjectives, e.g., größer als, schneller als). Use wie exclusively for equality (with so... wie).
  • Incorrect: Ich bin so müde als du. (This is a grammatical error.)
  • Correct: Ich bin so müde wie du. (I am as tired as you.)
  • Incorrect: Er ist größer wie ich. (Incorrectly using wie for inequality.)
  • Correct: Er ist größer als ich. (He is taller than me.)
2. Declining the Adjective in Predicative Use: A common mistake is to add comparative (-er) or declension endings to the adjective when it is used predicatively.
  • Rule: When the adjective follows a verb (like sein, werden, bleiben) within the so... wie structure, it always remains in its base (positive) form. It does not take endings.
  • Incorrect: Das das Auto ist so schnelles wie deins.
  • Correct: Das das Auto ist so schnell wie deins. (The car is as fast as yours.)
3. Incorrect Case after wie: Failing to match the grammatical case of the element following wie to the element it references earlier in the sentence leads to grammatical errors or altered meanings.
  • Rule: The noun or pronoun after wie must be in the same case as the noun or pronoun it is being compared to.
  • Incorrect: Ich helfe dir so gern wie er (Nominative). (This implies: "I help you as much as he helps you," comparing actions.)
  • Correct (comparing Dative objects): Ich helfe dir so gern wie ihm (Dative). (I like to help you as much as I like to help him.)
  • Correct (comparing Nominative subjects): Er ist so stark wie ich (Nominative). (He is as strong as I am.)
4. Omitting so: While in some poetic or archaic contexts so might be omitted, in standard modern German, especially in spoken language, the initial so is crucial for indicating an equality comparison.
  • Rule: Always include so (or genauso, ebenso, fast so, nicht so) before the adjective/adverb to correctly form the equality comparison.
  • Incorrect: Er ist reich wie sein Vater. (Sounds incomplete or poetic.)
  • Correct: Er ist so reich wie sein Vater. (He is as rich as his father.)
5. Mixing Comparative and Equality Structures: Attempting to combine elements from different comparative patterns (e.g., größer wie).
  • Rule: Stick to one comparative pattern at a time. Do not use -er endings with wie, nor so... wie with als.
  • Incorrect: Sie ist größer wie ich. (Mixes comparative ending with equality conjunction.)
  • Correct: Sie ist größer als ich. OR Sie ist so groß wie ich.
Diligent attention to these specific points will significantly improve the accuracy and fluency of your German equality comparisons.

Real Conversations

Understanding so... wie in theoretical terms is one step; recognizing and using it naturally in real-world German is another. This construction permeates all levels of communication, from casual texts to formal discussions.

1. Casual Texting and Social Media: In informal contexts, so... wie is frequently used to make quick comparisons or express relatable sentiments.

- Ist der der Kaffee schon fertig? Bin fast so müde wie gestern. (Is the coffee ready yet? I'm almost as tired as yesterday.) – Concise and idiomatic.

- Dein das neues Profilbild ist genauso cool wie das alte! (Your new profile picture is just as cool as the old one!) – Direct, enthusiastic feedback.

- Die die neue die Serie ist nicht so spannend wie gedacht. (The new series isn't as exciting as I thought.) – A common, softened critique.

2. Professional and Formal Contexts: In academic, business, or formal discussions, so... wie allows for precise evaluation and comparison of facts, data, or proposals.

- Die die aktuelle die Performance ist nicht so gut wie erwartet, aber noch akzeptabel. (The current performance isn't as good as expected, but still acceptable.) – A measured assessment.

- Wir müssen sicherstellen, dass das neue das System ebenso zuverlässig wie das alte ist. (We must ensure the new system is just as reliable as the old one.) – Emphasizing a critical requirement.

- Die die Kosten des der Projekts waren genauso hoch wie im Budget geplant. (The project costs were exactly as high as planned in the budget.) – Confirming precise adherence to a plan.

3. Expressing Opinions and Cultural Insights: So... wie is instrumental in articulating personal views, comparing experiences, or discussing broader societal observations. The use of nicht so... wie is particularly interesting culturally.

- Berlin ist nicht so stressig wie London, aber hat auch seine die Herausforderungen. (Berlin isn't as stressful as London, but also has its challenges.) – A common subjective comparison, often used to express a preference or perceived advantage.

- Manche die Leute finden, dass der Klimawandel nicht so schlimm ist wie die die Pandemie. (Some people think climate change isn't as bad as the pandemic.) – Reflecting varying public opinions.

- Cultural Note: Germans often use nicht so... wie instead of a direct comparative of inferiority (e.g., schlechter als, langsamer als). This can be perceived as softer, more polite, or less confrontational, making it a valuable tool for diplomatic communication or expressing mild dissatisfaction. It implicitly suggests that while something isn't as good, it isn't necessarily terrible.

Observing and imitating these patterns in authentic communication will refine your command of so... wie beyond textbook application.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about equality comparisons with so... wie:
  • Can I omit so?
  • In standard modern German, especially in everyday conversation, the initial so (or its intensifiers like genauso) is generally required for a clear equality comparison. Omitting it can sound poetic, archaic, or simply grammatically incomplete.
  • How do I compare actions (verbs)?
  • When comparing actions, you use adverbs instead of adjectives within the so... wie structure. The principle remains the same.
  • Example: Sie spricht Deutsch so fließend wie eine Muttersprachlerin. (She speaks German as fluently as a native speaker.)
  • Example: Er arbeitet nicht so schnell wie sein Kollege. (He doesn't work as fast as his colleague.)
  • What is the difference between so... wie and gleich?
  • Both can express equality, but they function differently grammatically.
  • gleich is an adjective meaning "equal" or "the same." It often stands alone or directly modifies a noun. Sie sind gleich groß means "They are equally tall" or "They are the same height." It states a fact about equality.
  • so... wie is a comparative construction. Sie sind so groß wie ich means "They are as tall as I am." While often conveying a similar meaning, so... wie explicitly draws a comparison using the conjunction wie, whereas gleich makes a statement about inherent sameness.
  • What if I'm comparing with pronouns?
  • When comparing with pronouns, remember the critical rule of case agreement. The pronoun after wie must be in the same case as the element it refers to in the first part of the comparison.
  • Example (Nominative): Er ist so fleißig wie ich. (He is as diligent as I am.)
  • Example (Accusative): Sie liebt ihren Hund so sehr wie ihn. (She loves her dog as much as she loves him.)
  • Example (Dative): Der der Chef vertraut ihr so sehr wie ihm. (The boss trusts her as much as he trusts him.)
  • Can so... wie be used in subordinate clauses?
  • Yes, so... wie functions within subordinate clauses according to standard German word order rules (verb at the end in most subordinate clauses).
  • Example: Ich finde es wichtig, dass die neue die Software so benutzerfreundlich wie möglich ist. (I find it important that the new software is as user-friendly as possible.)
These clarifications should help navigate some of the more intricate aspects of using so... wie effectively in German.

Equality Comparison Structure

Type Part 1 Adjective Part 2 Example
Affirmative
so
groß
wie
Er ist so groß wie ich.
Negative
nicht so
groß
wie
Er ist nicht so groß wie ich.
Question
so
groß
wie
Ist er so groß wie ich?
Adverbial
so
schnell
wie
Er läuft so schnell wie ich.
Emphasis
genauso
gut
wie
Das ist genauso gut wie das.
Comparison
so
viel
wie
Er hat so viel wie ich.

Meanings

This structure is used to express that two entities possess a quality to the same degree.

1

Direct Equality

Comparing two things that share a trait equally.

“Sie ist so schlau wie ihr Bruder.”

“Das Wetter ist heute so schön wie gestern.”

2

Negative Inequality

Expressing that one thing lacks the degree of a trait compared to another.

“Das ist nicht so einfach wie es aussieht.”

“Er ist nicht so alt wie ich dachte.”

3

Emphasis

Using 'so' to emphasize the intensity of an adjective.

“Es war so kalt, wie ich es noch nie erlebt habe.”

“Er ist so nett, wie man es sich nur wünschen kann.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Equality Comparisons (so... wie)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
so + ADJ + wie
Er ist so alt wie ich.
Negative
nicht so + ADJ + wie
Es ist nicht so kalt wie gestern.
Question
so + ADJ + wie
Ist das so teuer wie das andere?
Emphasis
genauso + ADJ + wie
Das ist genauso wichtig wie das.
Adverbial
so + ADV + wie
Er singt so schön wie sie.
Comparative
ADJ-er + als
Er ist größer als ich.
Superlative
am + ADJ-sten
Er ist am größten.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Das Automobil ist ebenso schnell wie das Fahrrad.

Das Automobil ist ebenso schnell wie das Fahrrad. (Comparing vehicles)

Neutral
Das Auto ist so schnell wie das Fahrrad.

Das Auto ist so schnell wie das Fahrrad. (Comparing vehicles)

Informal
Das Auto ist so schnell wie das Rad.

Das Auto ist so schnell wie das Rad. (Comparing vehicles)

Slang
Die Karre ist so schnell wie das Bike.

Die Karre ist so schnell wie das Bike. (Comparing vehicles)

Comparison Types

Comparison

Equality

  • so... wie as... as

Inequality

  • komparativ + als more... than
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Examples by Level

1

Ich bin so alt wie du.

I am as old as you.

2

Das ist so gut wie neu.

That is as good as new.

3

Er ist so nett wie sie.

He is as nice as her.

4

Ist es so kalt wie gestern?

Is it as cold as yesterday?

1

Das Auto ist nicht so schnell wie mein Fahrrad.

The car is not as fast as my bike.

2

Wir sind nicht so müde wie die anderen.

We are not as tired as the others.

3

Ist der Kaffee so heiß wie der Tee?

Is the coffee as hot as the tea?

4

Sie lernt nicht so viel wie ich.

She doesn't study as much as I do.

1

Die Prüfung war nicht so schwierig, wie ich befürchtet hatte.

The exam was not as difficult as I had feared.

2

Er arbeitet so hart, wie es von ihm erwartet wird.

He works as hard as is expected of him.

3

Das Projekt ist so erfolgreich wie geplant.

The project is as successful as planned.

4

Es ist nicht so einfach, wie es klingt.

It is not as simple as it sounds.

1

Die neue Software ist so intuitiv, wie man es sich erhofft hat.

The new software is as intuitive as one had hoped.

2

Er ist nicht so erfahren, wie sein Lebenslauf vermuten lässt.

He is not as experienced as his CV suggests.

3

Das Ergebnis ist so präzise, wie wir es brauchten.

The result is as precise as we needed it to be.

4

Sie ist so eloquent, wie man es von einer Politikerin erwartet.

She is as eloquent as one expects from a politician.

1

Das Gebäude ist so imposant, wie die Architekturkritiker behaupten.

The building is as imposing as the architecture critics claim.

2

Die Situation ist nicht so prekär, wie die Medien darstellen.

The situation is not as precarious as the media portrays.

3

Er ist so stur, wie man es nur sein kann.

He is as stubborn as one can possibly be.

4

Das Gesetz ist so komplex, wie es nur sein kann.

The law is as complex as it can possibly be.

1

Die Interpretation ist so nuanciert, wie es der Text zulässt.

The interpretation is as nuanced as the text allows.

2

Es ist nicht so evident, wie es auf den ersten Blick scheint.

It is not as evident as it seems at first glance.

3

Das Phänomen ist so ubiquitär, wie man es in der modernen Gesellschaft findet.

The phenomenon is as ubiquitous as one finds in modern society.

4

Die Argumentation ist so stringent, wie sie nur sein könnte.

The argumentation is as stringent as it could possibly be.

Easily Confused

Equality Comparisons (so... wie) vs Comparative (als)

Learners mix up 'wie' and 'als'.

Equality Comparisons (so... wie) vs Superlative (am...sten)

Learners try to use superlative in equality structures.

Equality Comparisons (so... wie) vs Genauso... wie

Learners think 'genauso' is a different rule.

Common Mistakes

✗

Er ist so größer wie ich.

✓

Er ist so groß wie ich.

Do not use the comparative form (-er) with 'so... wie'.
✗

Er ist groß als ich.

✓

Er ist so groß wie ich.

Use 'wie' for equality, not 'als'.
✗

Er ist so groß als ich.

✓

Er ist so groß wie ich.

The second part of the comparison must be 'wie'.
✗

Er ist groß wie ich.

✓

Er ist so groß wie ich.

Don't forget the 'so' at the start.
✗

Das ist nicht so größer wie das.

✓

Das ist nicht so groß wie das.

Comparative form is forbidden here.
✗

Es ist nicht groß wie das.

✓

Es ist nicht so groß wie das.

Need 'so' for the negative structure.
✗

Das ist so teurer wie das.

✓

Das ist so teuer wie das.

Base form only.
✗

Er ist so schnell als er kann.

✓

Er ist so schnell, wie er kann.

Use 'wie' for the comparison.
✗

Das ist genauso teurer wie das.

✓

Das ist genauso teuer wie das.

Base form for 'genauso' too.
✗

Er ist so ein guter wie ich.

✓

Er ist so gut wie ich.

Don't add 'ein' unless it's a noun phrase.
✗

Die Situation ist so eine prekäre wie die andere.

✓

Die Situation ist so prekär wie die andere.

Avoid unnecessary articles.
✗

Er ist so ein sturer wie man es kennt.

✓

Er ist so stur, wie man es kennt.

Adjective usage.

Sentence Patterns

Mein ___ ist so ___ wie dein ___.

Das ist nicht so ___, wie ich ___.

Er ist so ___, wie man es von einem ___ erwartet.

Die Situation ist so ___, wie sie ___.

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

Das ist nicht so cool wie ich dachte.

Job Interview common

Ich bin so motiviert wie meine Kollegen.

Travel common

Ist das Ticket so teuer wie das letzte?

Food Delivery occasional

Das Essen ist nicht so heiß wie im Restaurant.

Texting constant

Bin so müde wie du.

Academic Writing common

Die Ergebnisse sind so präzise wie erwartet.

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⚠️

The 'Als' Trap

Never use 'als' with 'so'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers. Always pair 'so' with 'wie'.
🎯

Mirror the Case

The noun after 'wie' must be in the same grammatical case as the noun it is being compared to. 'Ich liebe dich so sehr wie ihn' (Accusative).
💬

Formal Equality

In professional emails, use 'ebenso' instead of 'so'. It sounds more sophisticated and precise.

Smart Tips

Ask yourself: are they equal? If yes, use 'so... wie'.

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

Remember: 'so' is a signal for 'base form'.

Das ist so teurer wie das. → Das ist so teuer wie das.

Use 'genauso' for a stronger sense of equality.

Das ist so gut wie das. → Das ist genauso gut wie das.

Ensure the comparison object matches the subject's case.

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

Pronunciation

SO groß WIE

Emphasis

Place stress on 'so' to emphasize the equality.

Falling

Er ist so GROSS wie ICH.

Neutral statement of fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a balance scale: 'so' on one side, 'wie' on the other, and the adjective in the middle, perfectly balanced.

Visual Association

Imagine two identical twins standing on a scale. They are 'so' tall 'wie' each other. If one is taller, the scale tips and you need 'als'.

Rhyme

So wie, so wie, das ist gleich, das weißt du nie!

Story

Hans and Franz are twins. Hans says, 'I am so strong as you!' Franz replies, 'No, you are not so strong as me!' They are comparing their strength using the 'so... wie' rule.

Word Web

sowiegenausonichtgleichebenfalls

Challenge

Find 3 objects in your room and write 3 sentences comparing them using 'so... wie'.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision; using 'so... wie' is seen as a clear, objective way to compare.

In Austria, you might hear 'als wie' in very casual speech, though it is non-standard.

Swiss German speakers often use 'so... wie' exactly as in standard German.

The 'so... wie' construction stems from Old High German, where 'so' functioned as a demonstrative adverb of degree.

Conversation Starters

“

Ist dein Auto so schnell wie mein Auto?

“

Findest du, dass Deutsch so schwer ist wie Mathe?

“

Ist das Leben in der Stadt so entspannt wie auf dem Land?

“

Ist die heutige Technologie so revolutionär, wie man behauptet?

Journal Prompts

Vergleiche dich mit deinem besten Freund.
Beschreibe zwei Städte, die du kennst.
Ist dein aktueller Job so herausfordernd, wie du es dir vorgestellt hast?
Diskutiere die Vor- und Nachteile von Online-Shopping im Vergleich zum Ladenbesuch.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blanks with 'so' or 'wie'.

Er ist ___ groß ___ ich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
The structure is 'so... wie'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Base form and 'wie' are required.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist nicht so teurer wie das.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Base form 'teuer' is needed.
Transform to negative. Sentence Transformation

Er ist so schnell wie sie. (Negative)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Add 'nicht' before 'so'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Ist das Buch gut? B: Ja, es ist ___ ___ ___ der Film.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Equality comparison.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

he / as / is / smart / as / me

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct word order.
Sort the words. Grammar Sorting

so / wie / ist / das / teuer

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct structure.
Match the sentences. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Matches.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blanks with 'so' or 'wie'.

Er ist ___ groß ___ ich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
The structure is 'so... wie'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Base form and 'wie' are required.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist nicht so teurer wie das.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Base form 'teuer' is needed.
Transform to negative. Sentence Transformation

Er ist so schnell wie sie. (Negative)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Add 'nicht' before 'so'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Ist das Buch gut? B: Ja, es ist ___ ___ ___ der Film.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Equality comparison.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

he / as / is / smart / as / me

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct word order.
Sort the words. Grammar Sorting

so / wie / ist / das / teuer

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct structure.
Match the sentences. Match Pairs

Match the equality.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Matches.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Use the emphatic form for 'exactly as'. Fill in the Blank

Dieses Buch ist ________ spannend wie der Film.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: genauso
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

ist / deine / Katze / so / wie / meine / süß

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Deine Katze ist so süß wie meine.
Translate to German: 'The pizza is not as good as last time.' Translation

The pizza is not as good as last time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Pizza ist nicht so gut wie letztes Mal.
Match the German phrase with its English equivalent. Match Pairs

Match the comparisons:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: so teuer wie = as expensive as
Correct the case after 'wie'. Error Correction

Ich helfe dir genauso gerne wie er.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich helfe dir genauso gerne wie ihm.
Which formal option fits best? Multiple Choice

Your writing style is just as elegant as your speech.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ihr Schreibstil ist ebenso elegant wie Ihre Rede.
Express 'twice as many'. Fill in the Blank

Er hat ________ so viele Follower wie ich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: doppelt
Reorder for a question. Sentence Reorder

ist / deine / Schwester / so / wie / alt / du / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ist deine Schwester so alt wie du?
Translate: 'He is as smart as possible.' Translation

He is as smart as possible.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er ist so klug wie möglich.
Pick the correct negation. Multiple Choice

The movie wasn't as boring as I thought.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Film war nicht so langweilig wie ich dachte.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, it works perfectly with adverbs like 'schnell' or 'gut'.

'Wie' is for equality, 'als' is for comparison of inequality.

Only in very casual, non-standard dialects. Avoid it in writing.

No, the adjective remains in its base form.

Use 'genauso... wie'.

Yes, but you need 'so viel' or 'so viele'.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Adding -er to the adjective.

Scaffolded Practice

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2

2

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4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

tan... como

The words are different, but the syntactic logic is identical.

French high

aussi... que

French requires the adjective to agree in gender/number, unlike German.

Japanese moderate

to onaji kurai

The word order is completely different (Subject + Comparison + Verb).

Arabic moderate

mithl

Arabic uses a prepositional approach rather than a correlative conjunction.

Chinese moderate

gen... yiyang

The structure is 'A gen B yiyang + Adjective'.

English high

as... as

German uses 'so' and 'wie' instead of repeating the same word.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Comparing with 'than' (Vergleich mit als)

Learn These First

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