German grammar: Steigerung von Adjektiven und Adverbien

What this grammar point covers

In German, adjectives and adverbs can be compared by changing their forms. This is called 'Steigerung' and has three degrees: positive (basic), comparative, and superlative.

When to use it

Use these forms to compare things, people, or actions. The comparative is used to show that something has more of a quality than something else. The superlative is used to show the highest degree of a quality.

Key forms

• Positiv: schön
• Komparativ: schöner
• Superlativ: am schönsten

Examples

Tips

• Most adjectives form the comparative with '-er' and the superlative with 'am ...-sten' or 'der/die/das ...-ste'.
• Remember to use 'als' for comparisons (e.g., größer als).
• Some adjectives change their stem vowel in the comparative and superlative (e.g., 'alt' → 'älter', 'am ältesten').

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some adjectives are irregular: 'gut' → 'besser' → 'am besten', 'viel' → 'mehr' → 'am meisten'.
• Adjectives ending in '-el', '-er', or '-en' may drop the 'e' in the comparative (e.g., 'teuer' → 'teurer').