Understanding Comparative and Superlative Adjectives in Dutch
In Dutch, just like in English, we use special forms of adjectives to compare things. These are called comparative and superlative adjectives. Let's learn how to use them!
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things. In Dutch, we usually add '-er' to the end of the adjective to make it comparative.
Examples
- De kat is groter dan de muis.
- Deze appel is zoeter dan die banaan.
- Mijn broer is sterker dan ik.
Superlative adjectives are used when we want to say something is the most or least of a group. In Dutch, we add '-st' to the adjective. We also use the word 'de' or 'het' before the adjective.
Examples
- Dit is de grootste hond.
- Zij is de slimste in de klas.
- Dit is het duurste boek.
Important Points
- If an adjective ends in '-r', add '-der' for the comparative.
- For adjectives that end in '-s', add '-ter' for the comparative.
- Some adjectives have irregular forms and do not follow the usual rules.
Examples
- De man is ouder dan de jongen.
- Het water is kouder in de winter.
- Hij is beter dan zij in voetbal.