German Comparative and Superlative: A Simple Guide

Understanding the German Comparative and Superlative

In German, you form comparative and superlative degrees with adjectives and adverbs. The comparative form often adds “er” to the base form. The superlative form often adds “st” or “ste” to the base form. This pattern helps you express differences in size, speed, age, or quality.

Basic Examples

• Die klügsten Kinder haben sehr gute Noten. (The smartest children have very good grades.)
• Peter rennt schneller als Paul, aber Tom rennt am schnellsten. (Peter runs faster than Paul, but Tom runs the fastest.)

Forming the German Comparative

To form the comparative, add “er” to the adjective or adverb.

• klein – kleiner (small – smaller)
• dünn – dünner (thin – thinner)

You do not need the English word “more.” Simply attach “er” to create the comparative form.

Forming the German Superlative with Adjectives

To form the superlative of adjectives, add “st” or “ste” to the base form.

• Paul ist ein kleiner Junge, aber Tim ist der kleinste. (Paul is a small boy, but Tim is the smallest.)
• Sarah ist klug, aber Sabine ist die klügste. (Sarah is smart, but Sabine is the smartest.)

If the adjective becomes a noun, capitalize it. For example: “Sabine ist die Klügste.”

Forming the German Superlative with Adverbs

To form the superlative of adverbs, place “am” before the adverb and add “sten” to the stem.

• Sarah läuft schnell, aber Lena läuft am schnellsten. (Sarah runs fast, but Lena runs the fastest.)
• Tom spielt gut, aber Jerry spielt am besten. (Tom plays well, but Jerry plays the best.)

Adding Umlauts in Some Comparatives

Some monosyllabic adjectives gain an Umlaut in the comparative and superlative forms.

• groß – größer – am größten (tall – taller – tallest)

Common Irregular Adjectives

• viel – mehr – am meisten (a lot – more – most)
• früh – früher – am frühesten (early – earlier – earliest)
• gut – besser – am besten (good – better – best)

For more irregular forms, you can visit: mein-deutschbuch.

Comparison with “wie” and “als”

Use “wie” to compare two equal items. Use “als” to compare two unequal items.

• Paul ist so groß wie Tina. (Paul is as tall as Tina.) – equal comparison
• Paul ist größer als Tina. (Paul is taller than Tina.) – unequal comparison

Tables with More Example Sentences

Comparative Forms Table

Base Form	Comparative	English	Example Sentence
langsam (slow)	langsamer	slower	Er fährt langsamer als sein Bruder. (He drives slower than his brother.)
hoch (high)	höher	higher	Der Berg ist höher als der Hügel. (The mountain is higher than the hill.)
kalt (cold)	kälter	colder	Heute ist es kälter als gestern. (Today is colder than yesterday.)

Superlative Forms Table

Base Form	Superlative	English	Example Sentence
schnell (fast)	am schnellsten	the fastest	Dieser Läufer ist am schnellsten. (This runner is the fastest.)
gut (good)	am besten	the best	Sie schreibt am besten in ihrer Klasse. (She writes the best in her class.)
laut (loud)	am lautesten	the loudest	Der Vogel singt am lautesten morgens. (The bird sings the loudest in the morning.)

Conclusion

German comparative and superlative forms help you compare people, objects, and situations. By understanding the patterns, adding “er” for comparatives, and using “am” plus “sten” for superlatives, you can express differences clearly and directly. Remember to use “wie” for equal things and “als” for unequal things. Practice these forms to gain confidence.

FAQ

Do I always need “mehr” for the comparative?

No. In German, you usually add “er” directly to the base form of the adjective or adverb.

How do I know if I need an Umlaut?

Some short vowels change to Umlauts in the comparative. Check a dictionary or a reliable source to confirm.

Can I form superlatives without “am”?

For adjectives used with nouns, add “st” or “ste.” For adverbs, use “am” plus “sten.”

What is the difference between “wie” and “als”?

Use “wie” for equal comparisons and “als” for showing a difference or inequality.

How can I improve?

Practice by creating your own sentences and checking your forms against examples. Over time, you will gain accuracy and speed.