Lesson 41ª

 

 

 

 

 

 
LEKTION 41
Comparatives and Superlatives

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  • In this lesson, we are going to look at the different ways of comparing things.


  • a) Comparative of equality - this comparative can be translated as "as....as.." and it can be formed using the following structure:

    (genau) so + adjective + wie


    Here are some examples:
    Madrid ist genau so alt wie Paris Madrid is as old as Paris
    Ich bin so gross wie mein Freund I'm as big as my friend
    Du bist so jung wie er You are as young as him



    b) Comparative of superiority - this can be translated into English as "more...than" and it can be formed using the following structure:

    (root of the adjective+ er) + als


    Here are some examples:
    Madrid ist älter als Paris Madrid is older than Paris
    Ich bin grösser als mein Freund I am bigger than my friend
    Du bist jünger als  er You are younger than him
    Please note how we have added a diaeresis to the root of the adjective ( ¨ ). This happens with some mono-syllable adjectives.



    c) Superlatives - as superlative can be translated as "the most/best/biggest, etc...". In German there are two possibly ways to form a superlative:

    definite article + (root of adjective + ste/n) 

    o the form

    am + (root of adjective + sten) 


    Here are some examples:
    Madrid ist die älteste Stadt Madrid is the oldest city
    Madrid ist am ältesten Madrid is the oldest
     
    Ich bin der grösste Bruder I am the biggest brother
    Ich bin am grössten I am the biggest
     
    Du bist der jüngste Student You are the youngest student
    Du bist am jüngsten You are the youngest


  • Some adjectives are irregular in their formation of the comparative and superlative forms. Here is a list of the most common ones:


  • Adjective Comparative Superlative
    Viel (a lot/many) Mehr Meist- / am meisten
    Gern (happy) Lieber Liebst- / am liebsten
    Hoch (tall) Höher Höchst- / am höchsten
    Nahe (near) Näher Nächst- / am nächsten


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    VOCABULARY

    Fly Fliege (f) Lizard Eidechse (f)
    Mosquito Mücke (f) Louse Laus (f)
    Wasp Wespe (f) Tick Zecke (f)
    Bee Biene (f) Moth Motte (f)
    Ant Ameise (f) Worm Wurm (m)
    Cockroach Schabe (f) Grasshopper Heuschrecke (f)
    Beatle Käfer (m) Centipede Tausendfüssler (m)
    Butterfly Schmetterling (m) Snail Schnecke (f)
    Spider Spinne (f) Flee Floh (m)
    Cricket Grille (f) Scorpion Skorpion (m)