How to Compare Things in Dutch: A Simple Guide

Learning to compare things in Dutch is a great way to make your sentences more interesting and detailed. Whether you’re describing rooms in your house, choosing between two options, or just making everyday observations, understanding how to use comparative and superlative forms in Dutch will take your language skills to the next level. Let’s dive in!

1. Basic Comparisons: Using “-er” and “meer”

In Dutch, most adjectives form the comparative (e.g., bigger, smaller, friendlier) by adding “-er” to the adjective. However, for some adjectives, you’ll use “meer” (more) in front of the adjective instead.

Here’s how it works:

• Adjectives with -er: For many adjectives, simply add “-er” to make the comparative form.
  • groot (big) → groter (bigger)
  • klein (small) → kleiner (smaller)
  • snel (fast) → sneller (faster)
• Adjectives with “meer”: Use “meer” for adjectives that don’t naturally take “-er,” especially with longer adjectives.
  • interessant (interesting) → meer interessant (more interesting)
  • comfortabel (comfortable) → meer comfortabel (more comfortable)

Examples:

• “De woonkamer is groter dan de keuken.”
  (The living room is bigger than the kitchen.)
• “Dit boek is meer interessant dan dat boek.”
  (This book is more interesting than that book.)

2. Comparing Two Things with “dan” (than)

To compare two things, use “dan” (than) after the comparative form:

• “Mijn auto is sneller dan jouw auto.”
  (My car is faster than your car.)
• “Dit huis is duurder dan ons vorige huis.”
  (This house is more expensive than our previous house.)

Remember, if you’re comparing two similar items, “dan” is the link word that makes the comparison clear.

3. Expressing Superlatives: The Most or the Best

When you want to say something is the “most” or “best,” use “-st” at the end of the adjective or “meest” (most) before the adjective.

With -st:

For many adjectives, add “-st” to make the superlative form. It often pairs with “de” or “het” (the):

• groot (big) → grootst (biggest)
• snel (fast) → snelst (fastest)

Examples:

• “Dit is de grootste kamer in het huis.”
  (This is the biggest room in the house.)
• “Hij is de snelste loper van de klas.”
  (He is the fastest runner in the class.)

With “meest”:

Use “meest” with adjectives that don’t take “-st,” especially longer adjectives:

• comfortabel (comfortable) → meest comfortabel (most comfortable)
• interessant (interesting) → meest interessant (most interesting)

Examples:

• “Dit is de meest comfortabele stoel in het huis.”
  (This is the most comfortable chair in the house.)
• “Dat was het meest interessante boek dat ik heb gelezen.”
  (That was the most interesting book I’ve read.)

4. Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

Just like in English, some adjectives in Dutch have irregular comparative and superlative forms. Here are a few common ones:

• goed (good) → beter (better) → best (best)
• weinig (little/few) → minder (less) → minst (least)
• veel (much/many) → meer (more) → meest (most)

Examples:

• “Zij is beter in Nederlands dan ik.”
  (She is better at Dutch than I am.)
• “Dat is de beste film die ik heb gezien!”
  (That is the best movie I’ve seen!)

5. Common Phrases for Making Comparisons

Here are some handy phrases that use comparisons and will help you sound more natural:

• Even … als – as … as
  • “Hij is even groot als zijn broer.”
    (He is as tall as his brother.)
• Niet zo … als – not as … as
  • “Mijn kamer is niet zo groot als jouw kamer.”
    (My room is not as big as your room.)
• Bijna zo … als – almost as … as
  • “Dit huis is bijna zo duur als dat huis.”
    (This house is almost as expensive as that house.)