German adjective endings transform to express comparisons: comparatives show more/less, and superlatives express the highest/lowest degree. Both forms also match the noun’s gender, number, and case.
- Comparatives add -er to the adjective stem (e.g., schnell → schneller).
- Superlatives add -sten/-esten and require a preceding am for predicative use (e.g., schnell → am schnellsten).
- Adjective endings for comparatives and superlatives vary with the same declension rules as regular adjectives.
The comparative ending is -er.
Use -sten/-esten and am for superlatives.
Yes, they follow normal adjective agreement rules.
Comparative
The comparative form expresses "more ... than" or "less ... than."
- Base adjective + -er = comparative form.
- Use als for “than” in comparisons:
Markus ist schneller als Julia.
(Markus is faster than Julia.)
- Adjective endings are added to the comparative form when used attributively, according to gender, number, and case.
| Positive | Comparative | Example (m, nom) |
|---|---|---|
| schnell | schneller | Der Zug ist schnell. |
| Der Zug ist schneller. |
The comparative form is 'schneller'.
Comparative Adjective Endings
Attributive comparatives get adjective endings like regular adjectives:
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| Accusative | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| Dative | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| Genitive | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Example:
- Der schneller Wagen (m, nom)
- Die schnelle Frau (f, nom)
- Das schnelle Auto (n, nom)
- Die schnellen Leute (pl, nom)
Superlative
The superlative expresses "the most ..." or "the least ..."
- Add -st (or -est if the adjective stem needs it) + correct ending for attributive use.
- Use am ... -sten for predicative/adverbial superlatives.
| Positive | Superlative (attributive) | Superlative (predicative) | Example (m, nom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| schnell | der/die/das ... schnellste(n) | am schnellsten | Der schnellste Zug ... |
Attributive Superlative
Attach -ste + adjective ending:
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | -ste | -ste | -ste | -sten |
| Accusative | -sten | -ste | -ste | -sten |
| Dative | -sten | -sten | -sten | -sten |
| Genitive | -sten | -sten | -sten | -sten |
Example:
- Der schnellste Mann (m, nom)
- Die schnellste Frau (f, nom)
- Das schnellste Kind (n, nom)
- Die schnellsten Personen (pl, nom)
Predicative/Adverbial Superlative
Use am + adjective stem + -sten (for regular stems) or -est (if needed for pronunciation):
- Das Auto fährt am schnellsten. (The car drives fastest.)
- Sie arbeitet am fleißigsten. (She works most diligently.)
German adjectives use "-er" for comparatives and "-(s)te(n)" for superlatives, matching noun endings for gender, number, and case. Comparatives link two things with "als," while superlatives highlight the extreme with "am ... -sten" for predicative use.
- Comparatives: schnell → schneller (+ endings), and "als" is used for “than.”
- Superlatives: schnell → der/die/das Schnellste (attributive), am schnellsten (predicative).
- Both forms follow regular adjective agreement rules.