The comparitive and superlative in German

Comparisons of equality

Equal comparisons are expressed by so/ebenso/genauso + adjective/adverb + wie.

• Anne ist genauso groß wie Laura.
  Anne is just as big as Laura.

Comparisons of inferiority

Comparisons of inferiority are expressed by nicht so + adjective/adverb + wie.

• Wir sind nicht so faul wie die andere Klasse.
  We are not as lazy as the other class.

Comparisons of superiority

Comparisons of superiority are expressed by adding an -er ending to an adjective or adverb preceding als.

• Meine Tasche ist schöner als deine.
  My bag is prettier than yours.

If it is continuous, you would use immer + comparative.

• Es wird immer dunkler.
  It is getting increasingly dark.

Watch out for irregular comparative adjectives: Some adjectives take on an umlaut in comparative (alt, groß, jung, nah, stark, warm, etc.)

• Es ist kälter als gestern.
  It is colder than yesterday.

The superlative adjective

The superlative of an adjective is expressed by a -st or -est ending followed by the declination. The ending -est is used for the sake of euphony.

• Das ist die kleinste Katze der Welt.
  That is the smallest cat in the world.

The superlative adverb

The superlative of an adverb is created with am + adverb + -sten.

• Er arbeitet am schnellsten.
  He works the fastest.

Watch out for irregulars: As in the comparative, some take on an umlaut in the superlative (alt, groß, jung, nah, stark, warm, etc.).

• Das klügste Mädchen der Klasse.
  The smartest girl in the class.