im Vergleich zu

Compared to (Im Vergleich Zu)

Level 4

The phrase im Vergleich zu means "compared to" or "in comparison to." It is used to highlight relative differences or similarities between two entities.

How It Works

1. Usage and Register
im Vergleich zu is a versatile phrase used in both spoken and written German. It is particularly common in academic, business, and journalistic contexts when discussing statistics, trends, or relative qualities. While the simple als is used for direct comparisons (e.g., größer als), im Vergleich zu sets a broader frame for the comparison.

2. Grammatical Structure
The most important rule is the case requirement. The preposition zu always triggers the Dative case:

  • Masculine/Neuter: im Vergleich zum (zu + dem) ...
  • Feminine: im Vergleich zur (zu + der) ...
  • Plural: im Vergleich zu den ...

This also applies to personal pronouns. If you are comparing someone to yourself or another person using a pronoun, you must use the dative form (e.g., im Vergleich zu mir, im Vergleich zu ihm).

3. Word Order
When this phrase starts a sentence, it occupies Position 1. According to the verb-second rule, the conjugated verb must follow immediately after the entire phrase. Do not place a comma between the phrase and the verb.

4. Synonyms and Variations
You may also encounter im Vergleich mit. Both are correct and interchangeable in most contexts, though zu is more frequent in modern usage. Another alternative is the participle construction verglichen mit (compared with).

Examples (5)

  1. Im Vergleich zu seinem Bruder ist er sehr schüchtern.

    Compared to his brother, he is very shy.

    Word by Word: In comparison to his brother is he very shy.

    Note that 'seinem Bruder' is in the dative case and the verb 'ist' follows the introductory phrase immediately.

  2. Die Preise sind im Vergleich zum Vorjahr stark gestiegen.

    Prices have risen sharply compared to the previous year.

    Word by Word: The prices are in comparison to-the previous-year strongly risen.

    'Zum' is a contraction of 'zu' and the dative masculine article 'dem'.

  3. Im Vergleich zu anderen Großstädten ist Berlin relativ günstig.

    In comparison to other major cities, Berlin is relatively affordable.

    Word by Word: In comparison to other big-cities is Berlin relatively favorable.

    'Anderen Großstädten' is plural dative, which requires the '-n' ending on both the adjective and the noun.

  4. Mein neues Handy ist viel schneller im Vergleich zu meinem alten.

    My new phone is much faster compared to my old one.

    Word by Word: My new mobile-phone is much faster in comparison to my old [one].

    The phrase can also be placed later in the sentence to provide context for a comparative adjective like 'schneller'.

  5. Er ist ziemlich groß im Vergleich zu mir.

    He is quite tall compared to me.

    Word by Word: He is quite tall in comparison to me.

    When using personal pronouns, they must be in the dative case (mir, dir, ihm, etc.) because of the preposition 'zu'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the accusative case instead of the dative.

    Im Vergleich zu das letzte Jahr ist es warm.
    Im Vergleich zum letzten Jahr ist es warm.

    The preposition 'zu' always requires the dative case. 'Das letzte Jahr' (accusative/nominative) must become 'dem letzten Jahr' (dative).

  • Adding a comma after the introductory phrase, causing a word order error.

    Im Vergleich zu gestern, ist es heute kalt.
    Im Vergleich zu gestern ist es heute kalt.

    In German, the introductory phrase occupies position 1. The verb must be in position 2. A comma would incorrectly separate the phrase from the verb.

How It Connects

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

im Vergleich zuLevel 4Compared to (Im Vergleich Zu)

Learn This First

To use 'im Vergleich zu' correctly, a learner needs to understand that 'im' is a contraction of 'in dem' and that the preposition 'zu' triggers the dative case for the noun being compared.

Words in This Pattern

im Vergleich zuVergleich