Comparing Things In GermanComparisons & Superlatives
Comparing things in German is one of the essential skills for a fruitful and interesting conversation. Comparisons add spice to a discussion and allow you to express yourself better.
In this lesson, we're going to have a look at comparisons in German. We'll first look at basic comparisons and afterwards see how the superlative works in German.
For all of this, we've invited our good old medieval friend Hildegard von Bingen to teach us a little about comparisons.
Ready to start comparing? Let's start!
Comparing Things
Imagine that you are hanging out with Hildegard von Bingen. She tells you that in her spare time, she enjoys composing musical plays, writing groundbreaking medical texts, developing her own languages, and recording her visions from God.
Although they keep her busy, she isn't yet fully satisfied with all her hobbies. In fact, she'd love to pick up another.
Let's help her compare some options, and find her another hobby!
Basic Comparisons
First, we need a list of hobbies in German. When it comes to making her decision, Hildegard is considering a few things:
- how expensive the hobby is
- how creative the hobby is
- how easy the hobby is
She has also picked out her final three considerations: witchcraft, tennis and painting.
@IMAGE - three images for witchcraft, tennis + painting.
Great! Now we can compare our three options. Let's continue.
Comparatives & Superlatives
1. Basic Comparison Rules
Now, when it comes to comparing things in German, you need to learn some important rules:
To form comparatives (bigger than, brighter than):
- We add the suffix -er to the end of our German adjectives, to form a comparative, in much the same way we do in English.
- We use the word als after the adjective, in much the same way we use "than" in English.
To form superlatives (the biggest, the brightest):
- We add the suffix -sten to the end of our German adjectives, to form a superlative, in much the same way we add the suffix -est in English. When the adjective has one syllable, the -sten suffix may change to -ersten or -esten.
- We use the word am before the adjective, in much the same way we use "the" in English.
Try to type the correct comparative / superlative versions of these adjectives, in the table:
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| lecker | ||
| hässlich | ||
| heiß | ||
| hell |
2. Rules For One-Syllable Adjectives
When changing adjectives to comparatives or superlatives, it's also important to note that sometimes one-syllable adjectives also require adding an umlaut to the vowel:
Try to type the correct comparative / superlative versions of these adjectives, in the table.
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| stark | ||
| kalt | ||
| jung | ||
| rot |
Well done! 🎉
You are using adjectives as comparatives and superlatives! Let's continue, to use these words to from comparison sentences.
Making Comparisons
Now we are ready to compare hobbies.
Hildegard has picked out her final three considerations: witchcraft, tennis and painting.
@IMAGE - three images, with german label and recording. for witchcraft, tennis + painting.
When making her decision, Hildegard would like to consider a few things:
- how expensive the hobby is
- how creative the hobby is
- how difficult the hobby is
Here are some comparisons of the three hobbies, with the considerations taken into account:
| 1. | Malen ist als Hexerei. |
| 2. | Tennis ist am |
| 3. | Malen ist als Tennis. |
| 4. | Hexerei ist am |
| 5. | Malen ist als Hexerei. |
| 6. | Tennis ist am |
After these considerations, Hildegard has made her choice: witchcraft!
@IMAGE - illustration of hildegard von bingen with broomstick, or broomstick, goat and witch hat. not sure. with caption: (we're not sure how that new hobby is going to be received by her fellow abbesses.. but oh well!)
Well done! 🎉
Whilst helping out Hildegard find a new hobby, you have started using comparatives and superlatives in German sentences!
Now you may head over to the next lesson, whenever you're ready.