In 15 Seconds
- Used to compare two things or situations side-by-side.
- Always requires the dative case after the word 'zu'.
- Perfect for shopping, discussing weather, or professional reports.
Meaning
This phrase is used to weigh two things against each other to show their differences or similarities. It is the German equivalent of saying 'compared to' or 'in comparison with'.
Key Examples
3 of 6Buying a new smartphone
Im Vergleich zum alten Modell ist dieses Handy viel schneller.
In comparison to the old model, this phone is much faster.
Talking about city life
Die Miete in Berlin ist günstig im Vergleich zu London.
Rent in Berlin is cheap in comparison to London.
Complimenting a friend's coffee
Dein Kaffee schmeckt wie Gold im Vergleich zu meinem.
Your coffee tastes like gold in comparison to mine.
Cultural Background
Germans value directness. Using this phrase helps frame your opinion as an objective observation rather than a subjective feeling. In Austria, you might hear 'im Vergleich mit' slightly more often than in Northern Germany, though both are perfectly understood. Swiss German speakers often use this phrase in formal contexts, but in casual speech, they might prefer 'im Verglich zu' with a slightly different pronunciation. In any German-speaking country, this phrase is essential for writing reports or giving presentations.
Dative Case
Always remember that 'zu' triggers the dative case. This is the most common error.
Article Gender
Make sure you know the gender of the noun you are comparing to, otherwise your dative article will be wrong.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to compare two things or situations side-by-side.
- Always requires the dative case after the word 'zu'.
- Perfect for shopping, discussing weather, or professional reports.
What It Means
This phrase is your best friend for weighing options. It helps you look at two things together. You use it to show how they differ. It is like holding an apple and an orange. You are deciding which one is better. It makes your descriptions much more precise.
How To Use It
Grammar alert! This phrase always takes the dative case. The word zu is the boss here. If you compare a man, it is zu dem (zum). For a woman, it is zu der. It usually starts a sentence or follows a comma. Keep your sentences simple and direct. You will sound like a pro.
When To Use It
Use it when you are shopping for a new phone. Use it when complaining about the rainy weather. It works great in business meetings too. You can compare this year's sales to last year's. It sounds smart and balanced. Use it whenever you need to provide context.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple 'than' comparisons. If you say 'I am taller than you,' use als. Saying im Vergleich zu there sounds too robotic. It is for bigger concepts or detailed comparisons. Avoid it in very fast street talk. It might feel a bit heavy there.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Stiftung Warentest' and detailed product reviews. We love to know exactly what we are getting. Comparing features is a sign of a smart consumer. It is not being picky; it is being thorough. Precision matters in every conversation. We like to be well-informed before deciding.
Common Variations
You might hear verglichen mit sometimes. It means the exact same thing. Im Gegensatz zu is for when things are opposites. Stick with im Vergleich zu for most daily situations. It is the most natural choice for B1 learners. It bridges the gap between casual and formal.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile and sits right in the middle of the formality scale. The biggest hurdle for learners is remembering the dative case that follows 'zu'.
Dative Case
Always remember that 'zu' triggers the dative case. This is the most common error.
Article Gender
Make sure you know the gender of the noun you are comparing to, otherwise your dative article will be wrong.
Variety
Use 'im Vergleich mit' occasionally to sound more advanced.
Examples
6Im Vergleich zum alten Modell ist dieses Handy viel schneller.
In comparison to the old model, this phone is much faster.
Note the contraction 'zum' (zu + dem) for the neuter 'Modell'.
Die Miete in Berlin ist günstig im Vergleich zu London.
Rent in Berlin is cheap in comparison to London.
Comparing two cities directly without needing extra adjectives.
Dein Kaffee schmeckt wie Gold im Vergleich zu meinem.
Your coffee tastes like gold in comparison to mine.
A humorous way to say your own coffee is terrible.
Der Film war okay, aber im Vergleich zum Buch enttäuschend.
The movie was okay, but in comparison to the book, disappointing.
A very common way to critique adaptations.
Heute ist es ruhig im Vergleich zu gestern.
Today it is quiet in comparison to yesterday.
Using time periods as the objects of comparison.
Ich bin heute viel geduldiger im Vergleich zu früher.
I am much more patient today in comparison to before.
Comparing past self with present self.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct article for the dative case.
Im Vergleich zu ____ (der|m) Auto ist das Fahrrad langsamer.
Auto is neuter, and after 'zu' (dative), it becomes 'dem'.
Choose the correct preposition.
Im Vergleich ____ dem Wetter gestern ist es heute besser.
The standard collocation is 'im Vergleich zu'.
Match the start of the sentence with the end.
Im Vergleich zu...
Only 'dem alten Haus' uses the correct dative case.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wie findest du den Film? B: ____, war er etwas langweilig.
Requires the preposition 'zu' and the dative article 'dem'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIm Vergleich zu ____ (der|m) Auto ist das Fahrrad langsamer.
Auto is neuter, and after 'zu' (dative), it becomes 'dem'.
Im Vergleich ____ dem Wetter gestern ist es heute besser.
The standard collocation is 'im Vergleich zu'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Only 'dem alten Haus' uses the correct dative case.
A: Wie findest du den Film? B: ____, war er etwas langweilig.
Requires the preposition 'zu' and the dative article 'dem'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is very common to start a sentence with this phrase to set the context.
No, it is perfectly correct, just slightly less common than 'zu'.
Because 'zu' is a dative preposition in German grammar.
Yes, 'Im Vergleich zu meinem Bruder bin ich größer.'
It is neutral and works in almost all situations.
Try to use a pronoun or a noun you are sure about.
Yes, 'Im Vergleich zu früher...' is very common.
Yes, it is a prepositional phrase requiring a noun or pronoun.
Yes, it is common in all forms of communication.
Im Vergleich zu mir.
Related Phrases
im Gegensatz zu
contrastin contrast to
verglichen mit
synonymcompared with
im Verhältnis zu
similarin relation to
gegenüber
similarcompared to/opposite
