Irregular Comparatives

Level 2

While most Dutch adjectives add -er and -st, a few essential words like goed (good) and veel (much) use completely different forms for comparison.

How It Works

In Dutch, comparison usually follows a predictable pattern (e.g., groot → groter → grootst). However, some of the most frequently used words are irregular because they involve a complete stem change (suppletion) rather than just adding a suffix. You should become confident with these specific sets:

  • goed (good) → beter (better) → best (best)
  • veel (much/many) → meer (more) → meest (most)
  • weinig (little/few) → minder (less/fewer) → minst (least)
  • graag (gladly) → liever (rather/prefer) → liefst (most preferably)

Note: While goed is irregular, its antonym slecht (bad) is regular (slecht → slechter → slechtst). The word erg (bad/serious) is also regular in its formation (erg → erger → ergst), but it is often learned alongside these because it provides the Dutch equivalent for 'worse' and 'worst' in many contexts.

Key Usage Rules:
1. Adjectives vs. Adverbs: Most of these function as adjectives. The set graag, liever, liefst is most commonly used as adverbs to express preference (e.g., Ik drink liever thee - I prefer to drink tea). Note that liever and liefst can also serve as the comparative and superlative of the adjective lief (sweet/dear).
2. Adjective Inflection: The comparative forms meer and minder are usually indeclinable when used as quantifiers (e.g., meer water). However, their superlative forms meest and minst take an -e when used before a noun (e.g., de meeste mensen). The forms beter and best also take an -e when required by the noun gender and article (e.g., de betere optie).
3. Adverbial vs. Predicative Superlatives: When a superlative is used as an adverb (describing an action), it is mandatory to use het before the form (e.g., Hij rent het snelst). When the superlative is in the predicate (after a verb like 'zijn'), you can use either the 'het' form (Dit is het best) or the inflected form with a definite article (Dit is de beste).
4. Comparison Word: When comparing two things, always use dan (than) after the comparative form (e.g., beter dan).

Examples (6)

  1. Deze koffie is beter dan de vorige.

    This coffee is better than the last one.

    Word by Word: This coffee is better than the previous.

    Uses 'beter' as the irregular comparative of 'goed'.

  2. Ik heb minder tijd dan jij, maar ik heb de meeste zin.

    I have less time than you, but I have the most desire (to go).

    Word by Word: I have less time than you, but I have the most desire.

    Shows 'minder' (less) and 'meeste' (most) in one sentence.

  3. Zij gaat liever naar de bioscoop.

    She prefers to go to the cinema.

    Word by Word: She goes rather to the cinema.

    'Liever' is the irregular comparative of 'graag' and is the standard way to express preference.

  4. De situatie is nu veel erger dan gisteren.

    The situation is much worse now than yesterday.

    Word by Word: The situation is now much worse than yesterday.

    'Erger' is the comparative of 'erg' (bad/serious). While it follows regular spelling rules, it is often grouped here because it translates to 'worse'.

  5. Dat is de beste oplossing voor dit probleem.

    That is the best solution for this problem.

    Word by Word: That is the best solution for this problem.

    'Beste' is the superlative form of 'goed'.

  6. Hij kan het best zingen van de hele klas.

    He can sing the best of the whole class.

    Word by Word: He can the best sing of the whole class.

    Demonstrates an adverbial superlative using 'het best'.

Common Mistakes

  • Regularizing irregular stems (e.g., using 'goeder' instead of 'beter').

    Dit boek is goeder dan dat boek.
    Dit boek is beter dan dat boek.

    Learners often try to apply the standard -er rule to 'goed', but 'beter' is the only correct form.

  • Leaving the -e off the comparative before a de-word.

    Ik heb een liever hond.
    Ik heb een lievere hond.

    The comparative of 'lief' is 'liever'. After 'een' and before a de-word it takes -e: 'een lievere hond' (a sweeter dog). 'Een lieve hond' is also correct, but it means a sweet dog, not a sweeter one.

  • Using 'als' instead of 'dan' for comparisons of inequality.

    Hij is groter als ik.
    Hij is groter dan ik.

    In standard Dutch, 'dan' follows a comparative. 'Als' is used for equal comparisons (zo groot als). You hear 'als' after comparatives in speech, but careful writing treats it as an error.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Irregular ComparativesLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn irregular comparison, you first need to understand how regular adjectives form their comparative (-er) and superlative (-st) degrees. Additionally, knowing how adjectives inflect with an -e ending is important for using these irregular forms correctly in sentences.

Words in This Pattern

beterbestmeestlieverliefstminder