Comparing Things In German

Comparisons add a new dimension to a discussion, helping you express yourself more creatively and precisely.

Let’s learn how to make comparisons in German.

For this lesson, imagine you're spending time with the medieval nun and polymath Hildegard von Bingen.

Hallo! Ich bin Hildegard.

She tells you that in her spare time, she enjoys composing music, writing medical texts, and recording her visions from God.

However, she’s looking for a new hobby and wants help comparing some options.

After considering a list of hobbies, Hildegard narrows it down to three: witchcraft, tennis, and painting.

Great! Now let’s help her compare these options using German comparatives and superlatives.

When it comes to comparing things in German, we'll need to learn some important rules:

1. Comparative Rules

To form comparatives (e.g. better, brighter):

• add the suffix -er to the adjective.
• use als after the adjective (like than in English).

2. Superlative Rules

To form superlatives (e.g. the greatest, the brightest):

• add -sten to the adjective.
• use am before the adjective (like the in English).

Try to type the correct comparative and superlative versions of these adjectives in the table:

Sometimes, one-syllable adjectives also require an umlaut when changing to the comparative or superlative form.

Practice typing the correct comparative or superlative forms of these adjectives in the table.

Well done! 🎉

You are using adjectives as comparatives and superlatives.

Now you’re ready to compare Hildegard’s final options: witchcraft, tennis, and painting.

To make her decision, Hildegard is considering several factors:

• how expensive the hobby is
• how creative the hobby is
• how difficult the hobby is

Below are some comparisons of the three hobbies, with the considerations taken into account.

Fill in the blanks to complete the comparisons.

Based on the comparisons, Hildegard makes her decision: witchcraft!

Mein neues Hobby ist Hexerei.

Well done! 🎉

You’ve now started using comparatives and superlatives in German sentences.

Head over to the next lesson whenever you're ready: Describing People In German.