Just like in English, a few of the most common adjectives in Dutch have irregular comparative and superlative forms. Instead of following the standard rules, you simply have to memorize them.
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| goed (good) | beter (better) | best (best) |
| veel (much/many) | meer (more) | meest (most) |
| weinig (little/few) | minder (less/fewer) | minst (least) |
Goed, beter, best
When you use beter and best directly before a noun, they follow the normal adjective ending rules. You add an -e (betere, beste) unless it is a comparative before a singular het word with een or no article (een beter idee).
| This product is good, but that model is better. | Dit product is goed, maar dat model is beter. |
| That is a better idea. | Dat is een beter idee. |
| That is the best option, because the price is low. | Dat is de beste optie, want de prijs is laag. |
Veel, meer, meest
These forms are used to talk about large quantities. Note that unlike normal adjectives, meer never gets an -e ending when placed directly before a noun. The superlative meeste, however, usually does take an -e.
| He reads a lot, but she reads more. | Hij leest veel, maar zij leest meer. |
| We have the most time for this choice. | Wij hebben de meeste tijd voor deze keuze. |
| We choose the option with the most points. | Wij kiezen de optie met de meeste punten. |
Weinig, minder, minst
Use these forms to evaluate smaller quantities. Similar to meer, the comparative minder never takes an -e ending when placed before a noun. The superlative minste follows standard rules and adds an -e.
| We have few choices. | We hebben weinig keuzes. |
| This plant needs less water. | Deze plant heeft minder water nodig. |
| Who has the fewest points? | Wie heeft de minste punten? |
| He is going to work less and sleep more. | Hij gaat minder werken en meer slapen. |