Comparative & Superlative (Steigerung)
German forms the comparative by adding -er to the adjective (schnell → schneller) and the superlative with am …-sten (am schnellsten). Many one-syllable adjectives also add an umlaut (alt → älter → am ältesten). A handful of very common words are irregular. Use so … wie for equality and als for a real comparison.
The regular pattern
Add -er for the comparative and am + -sten for the superlative. After d, t, s, ß, z the superlative takes an extra -e- for pronunciation (-esten): am ältesten, am kürzesten.
schnell → schneller → am schnellsten
fast → faster → fastest
Regular, no umlaut.
klein → kleiner → am kleinsten
small → smaller → smallest
alt → älter → am ältesten
old → older → oldest
Umlaut + -esten after -t.
Adjectives that add an umlaut
Many short adjectives with a, o, or u take an umlaut in the comparative and superlative: alt → älter, groß → größer, jung → jünger, lang → länger, kurz → kürzer, stark → stärker, warm → wärmer, kalt → kälter.
groß → größer → am größten
big → bigger → biggest
"groß" keeps its ß and takes no extra -e-: am größten.
jung → jünger → am jüngsten
young → younger → youngest
Irregular forms (learn these by heart)
A few high-frequency words change their stem completely.
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| gut (good) | besser | am besten |
| viel (much) | mehr | am meisten |
| gern (gladly) | lieber | am liebsten |
| hoch (high) | höher | am höchsten |
| nah (near) | näher | am nächsten |
| groß (big) | größer | am größten |
Comparing: "so … wie" vs. "als"
For things that are equal, use so + adjective + wie. For a real difference, use the comparative + als.
Anna ist so groß wie Tom.
Anna is as tall as Tom.
Equality → so … wie.
Anna ist größer als Tom.
Anna is taller than Tom.
Difference → comparative + als.
Ich trinke lieber Tee als Kaffee.
I prefer tea to coffee.
gern → lieber … als.
Examples
Heute ist es wärmer als gestern.
Today it is warmer than yesterday.
Das ist das beste Restaurant der Stadt.
That is the best restaurant in town.
Attributive superlative → declined: das beste.
Er läuft am schnellsten.
He runs the fastest.
Adverbial superlative → am …-sten.
Ich esse am liebsten Pizza.
I like eating pizza best of all.
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| schnell | schneller | am schnellsten |
| alt | älter | am ältesten |
| warm | wärmer | am wärmsten |
| kurz | kürzer | am kürzesten |
Common mistakes
- Using "wie" for a real comparison: **größer ~~wie~~ Tom** → **größer als Tom**. Use **wie** only with **so … wie** (equality).
- Building "more + adjective" as in English: German does **not** say **~~mehr schnell~~**; it is just **schneller**. (mehr is only the comparative of viel.)
- Forgetting the umlaut on common short adjectives: *alt → **ä**lter**, **lang → l**ä**nger**, not **alter/langer*.
Lookup tips
- Superlative has two shapes: **am …-sten** when it stands alone/adverbial (**am schnellsten**), and a normal **declined** ending when it sits before a noun (**der schnellste Läufer**).
- Add -esten (not just -sten) after d, t, s, ß, z: **am kältesten**, **am kürzesten**.
- Memorize the six irregulars — gut/viel/gern/hoch/nah/groß — they are among the most frequent words in the language.
Frequently asked questions
When do I use "als" and when "wie"?
**als** after a comparative (unequal): **schneller als ich**. **wie** only inside **so … wie** for equality: **so schnell wie ich**. In standard German, mixing them (**schneller wie**) is considered incorrect.
Is it "am besten" or "der beste"?
Both exist. **am besten** is the adverbial/predicative superlative (**Er singt am besten**). **der/die/das beste** is the attributive form before a noun (**der beste Sänger**), and it takes normal adjective endings.
How do I say "I prefer …"?
Use **lieber**, the comparative of **gern**: **Ich trinke lieber Tee** (I prefer to drink tea). For "most of all", use **am liebsten**: **Am liebsten trinke ich Wasser**.