The Regular Comparative (-er)
To say something is "faster", "cheaper", or "calmer", you use the comparative form. Just like in English, you form the comparative for regular adjectives and adverbs by simply adding -er to the end of the word.
For example, schnell (fast) becomes schneller (faster), and günstig (cheap) becomes günstiger (cheaper).
| This means of transport is much faster. | Dieses Verkehrsmittel ist viel schneller. |
| This connection is cheaper today. | Diese Verbindung ist heute günstiger. |
| The ship is slower, but very cozy. | Das Schiff ist langsamer, aber sehr gemütlich. |
Comparing Things With "als"
When you want to compare two specific things side-by-side (e.g., "faster than the car"), use the word als.
| The bus is cheaper than the train. | Der Bus ist günstiger als der Zug. |
| The airplane is much faster than the car. | Das Flugzeug ist viel schneller als das Auto. |
| A motorcycle is louder than a bicycle. | Ein Motorrad ist lauter als ein Fahrrad. |
Long Adjectives Also Take "-er"
In English, we switch to using the word "more" for longer adjectives (like "more direct" or "more uncomfortable"). German doesn't do this! You still just add -er to the end of the regular adjective, no matter how long the word is.
| Adjective | Comparative | English |
|---|---|---|
| direkt | direkter | more direct |
| unbequem | unbequemer | more uncomfortable |
| pünktlich | pünktlicher | more punctual |
| We are taking this connection because it is more direct. | Wir nehmen diese Verbindung, denn sie ist direkter. |
| This mode of transport is cheap, but it is more uncomfortable than the bus. | Dieses Verkehrsmittel ist günstig, aber es ist unbequemer als der Bus. |
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