mere/mest

More / Most (Mere/mest)

Level 2

While many Danish adjectives use suffixes like -ere and -est, others require the separate words mere (more) and mest (most). This is usual for many participles, -isk adjectives and long words; some adjectives allow alternatives or irregular forms.

How It Works

In Danish, mere and mest are used with many adjectives in these groups:

  • Participles: All present participles ending in -ende (e.g., spændende) and past participles ending in -et (e.g., interesseret).
  • Unstressed -e: Adjectives ending in an unstressed -e, including many loanwords (e.g., moderne, stille, øde).
  • Adjectives ending in -a: Words such as lilla use mere/mest when a degree comparison makes sense; not every adjective has a useful ordinary comparison.
  • Specific Suffixes: Adjectives ending in -isk (praktisk), -et (stribet), and some words ending in -s (gammeldags). Final s alone is not a rule: løs → løsere.
  • Long Words: Most adjectives with three or more syllables. Note: Adjectives ending in -ig or -lig often take -ere/-est even when long, but some also allow mere/mest; check the word.
  • Quality Comparison: When comparing two different traits of the same person (e.g., 'more brave than smart').

Mere vs. Flere: Be careful not to confuse mere (degree/uncountable) with flere (countable number). Use mere for 'more exciting' but flere for 'more books'.

The Important Lille Exception: Lille ends in unstressed e but has irregular degrees: lille → mindre → mindst. Say Mit værelse er mindre end dit (My room is smaller than yours), not mere lille for an ordinary size comparison. The plural positive is små.

Examples (4)

  1. Denne film er mere spændende end den, vi så i går.

    This movie is more exciting than the one we saw yesterday.

    Word by Word: This movie is more exciting than the, we saw in yesterday.

    The adjective 'spændende' is a present participle ending in -ende, so it must use 'mere' for comparison.

  2. Det er den mest interessante bog, jeg har læst.

    It is the most interesting book I have read.

    Word by Word: It is the most interesting book, I have read.

    'Interessant' is a long, polysyllabic word, which typically requires 'mest' for the superlative.

  3. Han er mere træt end syg.

    He is more tired than sick.

    Word by Word: He is more tired than sick.

    When comparing two different qualities (tired vs. sick) of the same person, 'mere' is used even if the adjectives are short.

  4. Min computer er mere moderne end din.

    My computer is more modern than yours.

    Word by Word: My computer is more modern than yours.

    'Moderne' is a loanword that does not take the -ere suffix.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'mere' with short, basic adjectives.

    Min bil er mere stor end din.
    Min bil er større end din.

    Short native adjectives like 'stor' must use the synthetic suffix (-ere) instead of 'mere'.

  • Confusing 'mere' (degree) with 'flere' (number).

    Jeg har mere bøger end dig.
    Jeg har flere bøger end dig.

    'Mere' is for uncountable mass or degree. For countable items like books, you must use 'flere'.

  • Double comparison (using both 'mere' and the suffix).

    Det er mere hurtigere.
    Det er hurtigere.

    Just like in English, you cannot use both 'more' and the '-er' ending at the same time.

How It Connects

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mere/mestLevel 2More / Most (Mere/mest)

Learn This First

To understand 'mere' and 'mest', you first need to know how Danish typically compares adjectives using suffixes (-ere/-est). This pattern is the alternative used for longer adjectives and participles. You should also be comfortable with basic adjective usage and the word 'meget', which serves as the root for these comparison words.

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meremeremest