General vocabulary: Comparisons
This topic covers the vocabulary and structures required to make comparisons between people, things, and concepts in German, including the use of comparative and superlative forms and specific comparative phrases.
Topic Overview
This topic covers how to make comparisons in German, including using adjectives, adverbs, and set phrases to compare people, objects, and ideas. You'll learn the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives, as well as key expressions like 'so...wie' (as...as) and 'als' (than). Mastering comparisons is essential for describing differences and similarities, which appears frequently in speaking and writing tasks.
In the AQA GCSE German exam, comparisons are tested across all four skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. You might be asked to compare two holidays, two teachers, or two cities. Using a range of comparative structures accurately can help you achieve higher marks for complexity and accuracy. This topic also builds on your knowledge of adjective endings and word order, so it's a key step towards more advanced German.
Comparisons are not just about grammar—they help you express opinions and justify choices. For example, saying 'Ich finde Mathe interessanter als Englisch' (I find maths more interesting than English) shows you can give reasons. By the end of this topic, you should be able to form both simple and complex comparisons confidently.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Comparative adjectives: add '-er' to the adjective (e.g., 'schnell' → 'schneller'), but watch out for umlauts on short vowels (e.g., 'groß' → 'größer', 'alt' → 'älter').
- →Superlative adjectives: use 'am ... -sten' for predicative use (e.g., 'am schnellsten') or 'der/die/das ... -ste' for attributive use (e.g., 'der schnellste Zug').
- →Equality: 'so ... wie' (e.g., 'so groß wie' = as big as). Inequality: 'als' (e.g., 'größer als' = bigger than).
- →Irregular forms: 'gut' → 'besser' (better) → 'am besten' (best); 'viel' → 'mehr' (more) → 'am meisten' (most); 'gern' → 'lieber' (prefer) → 'am liebsten' (prefer most).
- →Word order: after 'als' and 'wie', the verb usually comes at the end of the clause (e.g., 'Er ist größer, als ich dachte.').
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Correct use of comparative adjectives (e.g., höher, besser)
- Correct use of superlative forms (e.g., höchst)
- Accurate application of 'so... wie' for equality
- Correct use of 'so viel(e)... wie' for quantity comparisons
- Correct use of 'als' in comparative structures
- Understanding and use of 'Unterschied' and 'vergleichen'
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Correct use of comparative adjectives (e.g., höher, besser)
- Correct use of superlative forms (e.g., höchst)
- Accurate application of 'so... wie' for equality
- Correct use of 'so viel(e)... wie' for quantity comparisons
- Correct use of 'als' in comparative structures
- Understanding and use of 'Unterschied' and 'vergleichen'
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Learn the common irregular comparatives like 'besser' and 'höher' as they appear frequently
- 💡Practice using 'im Großen und Ganzen' to add complexity to your writing and speaking
- 💡Remember that 'verschieden' and 'unterschiedlich' are adjectives, while 'anders' is an adverb
- 💡Use 'so... wie' to easily expand the length and complexity of your sentences in writing tasks
- 💡In writing and speaking, try to use a mix of comparative structures: equality ('so...wie'), inequality ('als'), and superlatives ('am...sten'). This shows range and can boost your grade.
- 💡When using superlatives attributively (e.g., 'der beste Film'), remember to match the article and adjective ending to the noun's gender and case. Practice with a table.
- 💡In listening and reading, pay attention to signal words like 'als' and 'wie'—they tell you a comparison is coming. Also, note that 'am' + superlative is often used in set phrases like 'am besten' (best) or 'am liebsten' (most of all).
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Confusing 'als' (than) with 'wenn' or 'als' (when)
- Incorrect word order when using 'so... wie' structures
- Misusing 'anders' (adverb) versus 'verschieden' (adjective)
- Forgetting umlauts in comparative forms (e.g., höher)
- Incorrectly using 'mehr' instead of 'größer' or similar when comparing adjectives
- Using 'als' instead of 'wie' for equality: 'so groß als' is wrong; it must be 'so groß wie'. Remember: 'wie' for same, 'als' for different.
- Forgetting umlauts in comparatives: 'groß' becomes 'größer', not 'großer'. Similarly, 'alt' → 'älter', 'jung' → 'jünger'.
- Confusing 'mehr' (more) with 'besser' (better): 'mehr' is used for quantity, not quality. 'Das Buch ist besser' (not 'mehr gut').
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic adjective endings (nominative and accusative) to form attributive superlatives correctly.
- •Word order in main clauses and subordinate clauses, especially after 'als' and 'wie'.
- •Knowledge of common adjectives (e.g., groß, klein, gut, schlecht, teuer, billig) to apply comparisons.
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Evaluating lifestyle choices and personal preferences - utilizing 'lieber' and 'am liebsten' to rank activities and justify choices.
- Geographical and urban contrasts - comparing infrastructure, cost of living, and environmental quality using 'besser als' and 'teurer als'.
- Social and historical shifts - analyzing changes in society over time using 'früher' versus 'heute' with intensified adjectives like 'viel bedeutender'.
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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