Language/Danish/Grammar/Comparatives-and-Superlatives
Introduction
Comparatives and superlatives are important elements of any language. They allow speakers to make comparisons and identify the most extreme cases. In Danish, comparatives and superlatives are formed using a number of different strategies, from adding suffixes to modifying the stem. Learning how to use comparatives and superlatives correctly is essential in building a solid foundation in the Danish language.
Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: The Nominative Case in Danish & Adjective Forms and Agreement.
Formation of Comparatives
Comparatives are used to express the idea of "more" in relation to an adjective or adverb. In Danish, comparatives are usually formed by adding the suffix "-ere" to the stem of the adjective or adverb. Here are some examples:
| Danish | Pronunciation | English | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| stor (big) | stor-ere | bigger | langsom (slow) | langsom-ere | slower | god (good) | god-ere | better | skønt (beautiful) | skønn-ere | more beautiful | let (easy) | let-tere | easier | hurtig (fast) | hurtig-ere | faster |
Note that some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative forms, such as "god" (good) which becomes "bedre" (better), and "meget" (very/much) which becomes "mere" (more).
It's also important to note that unlike in English, where "more" or "less" can be used instead of comparatives, this is not the case in Danish. To express the idea of "more" without using a comparative, you can use the adverb "mere" followed by the adjective or adverb. For example, "mere smuk" means "more beautiful", while "smukkere" means "more beautiful (comparative)".
Formation of Superlatives
Superlatives are used to express the idea of "most" or "least" in relation to an adjective or adverb. In Danish, superlatives are usually formed by adding the suffix "-est" to the stem of the adjective or adverb. Here are some examples:
| Danish | Pronunciation | English | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| stor (big) | stor-est | biggest | langsom (slow) | langsom-est | slowest | god (good) | bedst | best | skønt (beautiful) | skønn-est | most beautiful | let (easy) | let-test | easiest | hurtig (fast) | hurtig-test | fastest |
Again, some adjectives and adverbs have irregular superlative forms, such as "god" (good) which becomes "bedst" (best), and "meget" (very/much) which becomes "mest" (most).
It's also important to note that just like with comparatives, in Danish you cannot use "most" or "least" instead of superlatives. To express the idea of "most" without using a superlative, you can use the adverb "mest" followed by the adjective or adverb. For example, "mest smuk" means "most beautiful", while "smukkest" means "most beautiful (superlative)".
Comparison of Equality
Another way to compare adjectives and adverbs is by using the expression "ligeså ... som" (as ... as) to indicate equality. Here are some examples:
- Jeg er lige så høj som min far. (I am as tall as my dad).
- Det var lige så sjovt som sidste gang. (It was as fun as last time).
Equative Adjectives and Adverbs
In Danish, some adjectives and adverbs have an "equative" form which expresses the idea of "just as [adjective/adverb] as". These equative forms are formed using the suffix "-som". Here are some examples:
| Danish | Pronunciation | English | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hurtig (fast) | hurtig-som | just as fast as | sød (sweet) | sød-som | just as sweet as | stærk (strong) | stærk-som | just as strong as |
Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
As mentioned earlier, some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms. Here are some of the most common:
| Adjective/Adverb | Comparative | Superlative | English | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| god (good) | bedre | bedst | good, better, best | meget (very/much) | mere | mest | very/much, more, most | min (small) | mindre | mindst | small, smaller, smallest | lang (long) | længere | længst | long, longer, longest |
Placement of Comparatives and Superlatives
In Danish, comparatives and superlatives are usually placed before the noun they modify, just like in English. For example, "Den større bil" (The bigger car) and "Den største bil" (The biggest car).
However, in some cases, especially when using a superlative, the noun can be omitted, and the adjective or adverb can stand alone. For example, "Det bedste" (The best).
Conclusion
Comparatives and superlatives are important elements of any language, and Danish is no exception. By learning how to form comparatives and superlatives correctly, you'll be able to make comparisons and identify the most extreme cases in Danish. With practice, these concepts will become second nature to you, and you'll be well on your way to mastering the Danish language!
Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Definite Articles in Danish & Adjective Comparison.
Other Lessons
- Verbs (Present Tense)
- Danish Alphabet
- Adjectives
- The Genitive Case in Danish
- Verbs (Past Tense)
- Cardinal Numbers in Danish
- Regular Verbs
- How to use “be” with adjectives in Danish
- 0 to A1 Course
- Adjective Forms and Agreement
Sources