dan (vergelijking)

Than

Level 2

In Dutch, when you want to compare two things and say one is 'more' than the other (inequality), you use the word dan. It is the direct equivalent of the English word 'than'.

How It Works

To become proficient in using dan, follow these rules:

  • Placement: Dan usually follows the comparative form of the adjective (e.g., langer dan). However, other sentence parts like verbs or prepositional phrases can sometimes separate them (e.g., Hij rende sneller naar huis dan ik).
  • Inequality and Quantities: Use dan when things are different or when comparing quantities (e.g., meer dan tien). It is also used with minder (less). If things are the same, use net zo... als instead.
  • Pronoun Case: The pronoun form depends on its role in the implied sentence. Use a subject pronoun (ik, jij, hij) if it acts as the subject: Hij is groter dan ik (ben). Use an object pronoun (mij, jou, hem) if it acts as the object: Zij vindt hem leuker dan mij (dan zij mij vindt).
  • Word Order: If dan introduces a full clause, the verb moves to the end, following subordinate clause word order. Example: Het is later dan ik dacht.

Examples (5)

  1. België is kleiner dan Nederland.

    Belgium is smaller than the Netherlands.

    Word by Word: Belgium is smaller than Netherlands.

    Here, 'dan' follows the comparative adjective 'kleiner' (smaller) to compare two countries.

  2. Ik ben ouder dan mijn broer.

    I am older than my brother.

    Word by Word: I am older than my brother.

    The comparative 'ouder' (older) is followed by 'dan' to show the difference in age.

  3. Zij spreekt beter Nederlands dan hij.

    She speaks Dutch better than he (does).

    Word by Word: She speaks better Dutch than he.

    Note the use of the subject pronoun 'hij' instead of the object pronoun 'hem'.

  4. Deze auto is duurder dan ik dacht.

    This car is more expensive than I thought.

    Word by Word: This car is more-expensive than I thought.

    In this subclause, the verb 'dacht' (thought) goes to the end after 'dan'.

  5. Ik heb meer boeken dan jij.

    I have more books than you.

    Word by Word: I have more books than you.

    'Meer' (more) is the irregular comparative of 'veel', and it also requires 'dan'.

Common Mistakes

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

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

    Although common in spoken Dutch, using 'als' for 'than' is considered grammatically incorrect. Use 'dan' for comparisons of inequality.

  • Using an object pronoun after 'dan' when it functions as a subject.

    Different MeaningJij bent sneller dan mij.
    Jij bent sneller dan ik.

    Think of the full sentence: Jij bent sneller dan ik (ben). In careful Standard Dutch the subject pronoun is used. Dan mij is common and widely accepted in everyday speech.

  • Using 'ik' when you mean 'than he likes me'.

    Different MeaningHij vindt jou aardiger dan ik.
    Hij vindt jou aardiger dan mij.

    'Hij vindt jou aardiger dan ik' is correct, but it means 'He likes you more than I like you'. If you mean 'more than he likes me', use the object pronoun: 'dan mij'.

How It Connects

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

dan (vergelijking)Level 2Than

Learn This First

To use 'dan' for comparisons, you first need to know how to form comparative adjectives using the '-er' suffix. Additionally, since comparisons often involve stating how someone or something 'is', knowledge of the verb 'zijn' and basic subject pronouns is essential for forming complete sentences.

Words in This Pattern

dan