Komparativ und Superlativ

To compare things with each other, we use adjective forms called "Komparative" (comparatives) and "Superlative" (superlatives). They're really useful if you want to highlight a particular difference between two or more things.

Komparativ

We form the "Komparativ" by adding the ending "-er" to an adjective. Sometimes we also replace a vowel with an Umlaut (ä,ö,ü).

When a comparative stands right before the noun it describes, we have to add the correct adjectival ending so that it matches the noun in gender, number and case.

When we compare two things, we often add the word "als" (than) after the comparative.

Note: To say that two things are equal we are using construction

• X ist gleich (adjective) wie Y
• X ist genauso (adjective) wie Y

Superlativ

We use this form to say that something or someone has the most of an attribute in comparison to others.

We can form the "Superlativ" in two ways:

1) When using with verb, we add the ending "-(e)sten" to the basic form of an adjective and put "am" before it.

2) When we use a superlative right before the noun it describes, we add the ending "-(e)ste" or "-(e)sten" depending on declanation and the regular adjectival endings to the basic adjective form. We use it with a definite article (der, die, das). In this case word am is not used

We using este(n) if adjective ends on

• -t
• -d
• -s
• -sch
• -x
• -z

otherwise ste(n)

Irregular adjectives

Some of the most frequent comparatives are irregular.

Created: 24 Feb 2026

Last Update: