-er (Komparativ)

Comparative Form

Level 2

The comparative form in German is created by adding the suffix -er to the base form of an adjective or adverb. It is used to show that one thing has more of a quality than another.

How It Works

The comparative form is essential for describing differences. Here are the key rules for forming it:

  • Standard Rule: Simply add -er to the end of the adjective. (schnell → schneller)
  • Umlaut Changes: Many short (one-syllable) adjectives with the vowels a, o, or u gain an umlaut. (alt → älter, groß → größer, jung → jünger). Note that this isn't universal; words like bunt or froh do not change.
  • Stem Adjustments: Adjectives ending in -el or -er (after a diphthong) often drop the 'e' before adding the suffix. (dunkel → dunkler, teuer → teurer).
  • Irregular Forms: Some very common words change completely. (gut → besser, viel → mehr, hoch → höher, nah → näher, gern → lieber).

When using the comparative in a sentence to compare two entities, use als to mean 'than'.

The Absolute Comparative: Sometimes, the comparative is used without a direct comparison to mean 'fairly' or 'rather'. For example, eine ältere Dame refers to 'a rather elderly lady' rather than someone specifically older than another person.

Examples (5)

  1. Mein Bruder ist zwei Jahre älter als ich.

    My brother is two years older than I am.

    Word by Word: My brother is two years older than I.

    Shows the standard comparison of inequality using 'älter' (umlaut change) and 'als'.

  2. Dieses Auto ist teurer, aber auch schneller.

    This car is more expensive, but also faster.

    Word by Word: This car is more expensive, but also faster.

    Demonstrates the stem change in 'teurer' (dropping the 'e') and the standard '-er' in 'schneller'.

  3. Wir suchen eine größere Wohnung.

    We are looking for a larger apartment.

    Word by Word: We search a larger apartment.

    Shows the comparative used as an attributive adjective before a noun, including the necessary adjective ending.

  4. Ich trinke lieber Tee als Kaffee.

    I prefer to drink tea rather than coffee.

    Word by Word: I drink more-dearly tea than coffee.

    'Lieber' is the irregular comparative form of 'gern'.

  5. Heute ist das Wetter besser als gestern.

    Today the weather is better than yesterday.

    Word by Word: Today is the weather better than yesterday.

    'Besser' is the irregular comparative form of 'gut'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'mehr' for long adjectives (English influence).

    Dieser Film ist mehr interessant.
    Dieser Film ist interessanter.

    In German, adjectives take the '-er' suffix regardless of their length. Do not use 'mehr' like the English 'more'.

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

    Ich bin größer wie du.
    Ich bin größer als du.

    Standard German requires 'als' for comparisons of inequality (bigger than). 'Wie' is only used for equality (as big as).

  • Forgetting the umlaut on short adjectives.

    Er ist starker als sein Freund.
    Er ist stärker als sein Freund.

    Many common one-syllable adjectives with a, o, or u must take an umlaut in the comparative form.

How It Connects

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-er (Komparativ)Level 2Comparative Form

Learn This First

To understand the comparative form, you first need to know how to use basic adjectives in a sentence, typically with the verb 'sein'. Additionally, familiarity with vowel mutations (umlauts) is necessary as many common adjectives change their stem vowel when becoming comparative.

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