In Dutch, comparison works in three clear steps. You start with the normal adjective, then compare two things, and then say which one is the most.
Step 1 is the base form (no change): mooi. Step 2 is the comparative: usually adjective + -er, often with dan (than). Step 3 is the superlative: usually het + adjective + -st (for example: het mooist).
| Step | Rule | Example (groot) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Base | Normal adjective | Mijn woonkamer is groot  Mijn woonkamer is groot. - My living room is big. |
| 2. Comparative | adjective + -er (+ dan) | Jouw woonkamer is groter dan mijn woonkamer Jouw woonkamer is groter dan mijn woonkamer. - Your living room is bigger than mine. |
| 3. Superlative | het + adjective + -st | Hun woonkamer is het grootst Hun woonkamer is het grootst. - Their living room is the biggest. |
There are a few useful spelling details. If the superlative comes before a noun, add -e: het mooiste huis. Also, some adjectives use -der instead of -er, for example: duur → duurder, ver → verder.
A few common words are completely irregular, so they do not follow the normal pattern. These forms are very frequent in daily Dutch, so it is worth memorizing them early:
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| goed | beter (dan) | het best het best - the best |
| veel | meer (dan) | het meest het meest - the most |
| weinig | minder (dan) | het minst het minst - the least |
| graag | liever (dan) | het liefst het liefst - the most gladly / preferably |
Choose one activity below. Questions use vocabulary from Lessons 1 to 10.
Pick the correct degree: base, comparative, or superlative.
Use this order: Subject - Verb - Comparative - dan - Comparison - Rest.
Dutch 
