German grammar: Vergleichssätze

What this grammar point covers

Vergleichssätze are comparison clauses in German. They are used to compare people, things, or actions, often using words like 'wie' (as/like) or 'als' (than).

When to use it

Use Vergleichssätze in German when you want to show similarities or differences between people, objects, or actions. These sentences help you say that something is the same, different, more, or less than something else.

Key forms

• so ... wie (as ... as)
• genauso ... wie (just as ... as)
• mehr/weniger ... als (more/less ... than)

Examples

Tips

• Use 'wie' for equal comparisons (so ... wie, genauso ... wie).
• Use 'als' for unequal comparisons (mehr ... als, weniger ... als).
• Do not use 'wie' and 'als' together in one comparison.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms (e.g., gut – besser, viel – mehr).