German · CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 26
Wer ist größer?Who is taller?
Describing and comparing people. Vocabulary: groß, klein, dünn, stark, jung, nett, klug, die Haare, die Augen, ähnlich. Key point: the comparative is formed with the ending „-er“ + „als“ — „Er ist größer als ich“ (He is taller than me), „Sie ist netter als ihr Bruder“ (She is nicer than her brother). Many short adjectives take an umlaut: groß → größer, alt → älter, jung → jünger. For equality you say „so … wie“: „Er ist so groß wie ich“ (as tall as me). English speakers use „mehr“ instead of the ending: „mehr groß“ ✗ → „größer“ ✓. Four forms are irregular: gut → besser, viel → mehr, gern → lieber, hoch → höher.
Dialogue
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mehr groß / größer
- LukasIst dein Bruder auch so groß wie du?Is your brother also as tall as you?
- MikeNein, er ist mehr groß als ich.No, he is taller than me. (slip: German has no „mehr groß“ — the ending „-er“ carries "more": „größer“)
- LukasAh, du meinst: er ist größer als du.Ah, you mean: he is taller than you.
- MikeGenau. Er ist größer und auch stärker.Exactly. He is taller and also stronger.
- LukasAber du bist klüger, oder?But you are cleverer, right?
- MikeHaha, das hoffe ich!Haha, I hope so!
Dialogue
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Meine Schwester und ich— My sister and I
- LukasLena, hast du ein Foto von deiner Familie?Lena, do you have a photo of your family?
- LenaJa, schau. Das ist meine Schwester Mia.Yes, look. This is my sister Mia.
- LukasIhr seht ähnlich aus! Ist sie älter als du?You look alike! Is she older than you?
- LenaJa, sie ist zwei Jahre älter. Aber ich bin größer.Yes, she is two years older. But I am taller.
- LukasUnd wer ist netter?And who is nicer?
- LenaNatürlich ich! Aber sie kocht besser.Me, of course! But she cooks better.
Vocabulary
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- groß
adjectivetall, big
- klein
adjectivesmall, short (person)
- dünn
adjectivethin, slim
- stark
adjectivestrong
- jung
adjectiveyoung
- nett
adjectivenice, friendly
- klug
adjectiveclever, smart
- die Haare
n.pl.hair
- die Augen
n.pl.eyes (sg. das Auge)
- ähnlich
adjectivesimilar, alike (ähnlich wie)
- besser
adjectivebetter (irregular: gut → besser)
Grammar
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Comparing: -er + als; so … wie; besser
Explanation
The comparative is made by adding the ending „-er“ to the adjective, and the comparison comes with „als“: „Ich bin älter als du“ (I am older than you), „Berlin ist größer als Köln“. Many short adjectives take an umlaut: alt → älter, groß → größer, jung → jünger, lang → länger. For equality you use „so … wie“ (not „als“): „Sie ist so groß wie ich“ (as tall as me). Careful: English speakers put „mehr“ before the adjective („more big“), but German has no „mehr groß“ — you say „größer“. So: „mehr groß“ ✗ → „größer“ ✓. Four important forms are irregular: gut → besser, viel → mehr, gern → lieber, hoch → höher. The superlative is „am … -sten“ or „der/die/das … -ste“: „Er ist am größten“ (he is the tallest), „die beste Schülerin“ (the best student).
Examples
- Mein Bruder ist größer als ich.My brother is taller than me.
- Dieses Handy ist besser als meins.This phone is better than mine.
- Sie ist so klug wie ihre Schwester.She is as clever as her sister.
- Anna ist die Jüngste in der Klasse.Anna is the youngest in the class.
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