Comparatives with spelling change (-der)

When shopping, you often compare products, brands, and their features.

We are comparing the new model with the old product.
Wij vergelijken het nieuwe model met het oude product.

Adjectives ending in -r

Usually, you form the comparative by adding -er to an adjective. However, if the base adjective already ends in -r (like duur or zwaar), Dutch adds -der instead to make it easier to pronounce.

The price is good, because this brand is not more expensive.
De prijs is goed, want dit merk is niet duurder.

You still use dan (than) to link the two things you are comparing.

My suitcase is much heavier than your bag.
Mijn koffer is veel zwaarder dan jouw tas.

This spelling rule applies to adjectives of any length. Words like mager (lean), zuur (sour), donker (dark), and lekker (tasty) all take the -der ending.

Is this cheese leaner than that cheese?
Is deze kaas magerder dan die kaas?
That meat is leaner, but this meat is much tastier.
Dat vlees is magerder, maar dit vlees is veel lekkerder.

You can use these comparatives to evaluate the quality of a product or to decide if an offer (de aanbieding) is worth it!

The wine in the offer is tastier.
De wijn in de aanbieding is lekkerder.