Master the Comparative Construction
An essential structure for B1 proficiency.
Ready to practice?
Jump straight into interactive exercises with this structure.
How it works
Comparison: The Battle of Adjectives 🥊
My house is bigger than yours. Dutch is as hard as German.
Let's fight!
Round 1: Comparative (Groter)
Add -er to the adjective. Use dan (than).
- Groot -> Groter
- Snel -> Sneller
- Leuk -> Leuker
Mijn huis is groter dan jouw huis.
Round 2: Superlative (Grootst)
Add -st to the adjective. Use Het.
- Hij is de snelste loper. (He is the fastest runner.)
- Dit is het leukste boek. (This is the nicest book.)
Round 3: Equality (Zo... als)
When two things are equal. Use Zo [Adjective] als.
- Ik ben zo oud als jij. (I am as old as you.)
Exceptions (The Strange Ones)
Just like English (Good -> Better), Dutch has rebels:
- Goed (Good) -> Beter (Better) -> Best (Best)
- Veel (Much) -> Meer (More) -> Meest (Most)
- Weinig (Little) -> Minder (Less) -> Minst (Least)
Example Sentences
Dit huis is groter dan de flat.
This house is bigger than the apartment.
Dit rapport is veel langer dan dat verleden rapport.
This report is much longer than that past report.
Deze trein is sneller dan de bus naar de boerderij.
This train is faster than the bus to the farm.
Deze berg is hoger dan die rots in de kloof.
This mountain is higher than that rock in the gorge.
Een gezonde levensstijl is beter dan een ongezonde levensstijl, wat betreft levensduur.
A healthy lifestyle is better than an unhealthy lifestyle, in terms of lifespan.