A2 · The adjectives
Comparing
plus, moins, aussi — and the adjective itself is left alone.
Comparison is done with a word in front: plus (more), moins (less), aussi (as). The adjective does not change. English has two systems — «taller» for short words, «more interesting» for long ones — and choosing between them is a real difficulty for learners of English. French has only the second, so that choice simply disappears: plus grand, plus intéressant, both built the same way.
The comparison itself uses que: plus grand que moi, where English uses «than».
The superlative is the same comparison with an article in front: le plus grand. When the adjective stands behind the noun, the article is repeated: le film le plus intéressant — literally «the film the most interesting», which looks wrong in English and is compulsory here.
Die Form
| bigger than | plus grand que |
| less expensive than | moins cher que |
| as old as | aussi vieux que |
| the biggest | le plus grand |
| good → better | bon → meilleur |
| well → better (adverb) | bien → mieux |
Die Regeln im Einzelnen
The adjective is not altered, only preceded.
Il est plus grand que moi.He is taller than me.
The comparison word is que, never comme.
C’est moins cher qu’avant.It is cheaper than before.
bon becomes meilleur, never plus bon.
Ce vin est meilleur.This wine is better.
With the adjective behind, the article appears twice.
le film le plus intéressantthe most interesting film
Woran man es erkennt
- plus
- moins
- aussi
- que
Beispielsätze
Ma sœur est plus jeune que moi.My sister is younger than me.
C’est la plus belle ville de France.It is the most beautiful city in France.
Ce restaurant est meilleur que l’autre.This restaurant is better than the other one.
Il travaille aussi vite que toi.He works as fast as you do.
Die typisch deutsche Falle
Aufgepasst
English has the same irregular pair and hides it. «Good» gives «better», and «well» also gives «better» — one word doing two jobs. French keeps them apart: bon gives meilleur for a noun, and bien gives mieux for a verb. Ce vin est meilleur, but il travaille mieux. Because English merged them, there is no instinct telling you which one a sentence needs.
One system instead of two, and the word goes in front.
Jetzt selbst
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