I. Theory
Just like in English, German also has a number of irregular, but generally predictable, comparative/superlative forms. In English, examples of this include: good, better, best as well as many, more, most. In German, we see many of the same adjectives are irregular as well.| Dieser Film ist kürzer als der, den wir gestern gesehen haben. This film is shorter than the one we watched yesterday. Was ist der höchste Berg in Afrika? What is the highest mountain in Africa? Je eher, desto besser. (Comparative of „bald“) The earlier, the better. |
II. Umlauted Forms
Many monosyllabic adjectives take umlauts in their comparative and superlative forms. Their comparative and superlative endings remain regular. These include: kurz, lang, groß, oft, warm, and stark.| Dieses Gericht ist am schärfsten. This dish is the spiciest. Man sagt, dass Katzen klüger sind als Hunde. One says that cats are more clever than dogs. Gemüse ist gesünder als Süßigkeiten. Vegetables are healthier than sweets. |
Note: There are certain adjectives where this umlaut is optional. These include: nass (nässer/nasser), schmal (schmäler/schmaler), and glatt (glätter/glatter).
III. Additional irregular forms
There is a small group of adjectives that take completely different comparative and superlative forms. These include:Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| gut | besser | best- /am besten |
| viel | mehr | meist- /am meisten |
| gern | lieber | liebst- /am liebsten |
| bald | eher | ehest- /am ehesten |
| hoch | höher | höchst- /am höchsten |
| Wir brauchen mehr Zeit, um das Projekt zu erledigen. We need more time to complete the project. Ich gehe heute Abend lieber ins Kino. I’d rather go to the movies tonight. Fühlst du dich heute besser? Do you feel better today? |