New here? This is lesson 99 of a free 240-lesson German course.
More, less, same in German
Priya is at the counter at Bäckerei Krause with two Pfannkuchen on the tray. One looks bigger. One looks sweeter. She has to compare them out loud.
Anton is already at the corner table, Milchkaffee unfinished. He will say they are about the same, then take the bigger one.
By the end, you will say this is better, more expensive, or less sweet than that. You will also say two things are about the same, or as good as each other.
By the end of this lesson
Compare two things as more, less, or the same.
- Das ist besser als das.This is better than that.
- Das ist teurer als das.This is more expensive than that.
- Das ist weniger süß als das.This is less sweet than that.
- Die sind ungefähr gleich.They're about the same.
- Was ist besser: ___ oder ___?Which is better, ___ or ___?
- ___ ist genauso gut wie ___.___ is as good as ___.
Scene — two jam doughnuts
Two jam doughnuts sit on the tray at Bäckerei Krause. One is bigger. Priya stands at the counter and looks from one to the other.
Renate waits with flour on her arms. Anton sits at the corner table with his Milchkaffee, still unfinished.
Learn — more, less, the same
Six lines help you compare two things: better, more expensive, less sweet, about the same, and as good as.
You will also ask which of two things is better.
Das ist besser als das.
This is better than that.
When to use it: Say this when one thing is better than another.
After besser, use als before the other thing.
Das ist teurer als das.
This is more expensive than that.
When to use it: Say this when one thing costs more than another.
Teurer is the more-expensive form, then als names the cheaper thing.
Say it: Final -er in teurer is a weak uh sound.
Das ist weniger süß als das.
This is less sweet than that.
When to use it: Say this when one thing is less sweet than another.
Put weniger before süß, then als before the other thing.
Say it: The ü in süß is a tight ee with rounded lips.
Die sind ungefähr gleich.
They're about the same.
When to use it: Say this when two things are roughly the same.
Ungefähr softens gleich, so the two things are close, not exact.
Say it: The ä in ungefähr sounds like the e in get.
Was ist besser: ___ oder ___?
Which is better, ___ or ___?
When to use it: Ask this when you want someone to pick the better of two.
Name the two things after besser, with oder between them.
___ ist genauso gut wie ___.
___ is as good as ___.
When to use it: Say this when two things are equally good.
Genauso plus gut plus wie means as good as.
Story — the bigger one
Watch Priya compare two Pfannkuchen at the counter. Anton will say they are about the same, then take the bigger one.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- Two jam doughnuts sit on the tray. One is bigger. Priya points from one to the other.
PriyaWas ist besser: der hier oder der da?Which is better, this one or that one?
AntonDie sind ungefähr gleich.They're about the same.- PriyaDas ist teurer als das.This is more expensive than that.
- AntonDas ist weniger süß als das.This is less sweet than that.
- PriyaDas ist besser als das.This is better than that.
- AntonDer hier ist genauso gut wie der da.This one is as good as that one.
RenateWelches nimmst du?Which one are you taking?- PriyaIch nehme lieber das hier.I would rather take this one.
- Anton nods, then takes the bigger jam doughnut.
- AntonIch nehme lieber das hier.I would rather take this one.
- PriyaIch mag Pfannkuchen total gern.I really love jam doughnuts.
Practice — better or the same
Eleven short exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
German
Das ist besser als das.Drop the English hereDas ist teurer als das.Drop the English hereDas ist weniger süß als das.Drop the English hereEnglish
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
This is less sweet than that.
Das ist ____ süß als das.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Das ist teurer als das.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You want someone to say which of two things is better.
Build the line
Build the line
They're about the same.
.
Tap the words in order.
Swap the word
Swap the word
This one is better than that one.
Das ist ____ als das.
Pick the reply
Anton says:
Pick the reply
Was ist besser: der hier oder der da?
Which is better, this one or that one?
And you reply with:
What do you say?
What do you say?
You have compared two. You would rather take this one.
True or false?
True or false?
This says you really love jam doughnuts.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Two things are on the tray. Ask a friend which one they are taking.
Say it — compare them
Now you're Priya at the counter with two Pfannkuchen. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- AntonMal sehen.Let's see.
- Priya (you)Ask which of the two is better.
Ask which of the two is better.
Was ist besser: ___ oder ___?
Which is better, ___ or ___?
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| German | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Das ist besser als das. | This is better than that. | |
| Das ist teurer als das. | This is more expensive than that. | |
| Das ist weniger süß als das. | This is less sweet than that. | |
| Die sind ungefähr gleich. | They're about the same. | |
| Was ist besser: ___ oder ___? | Which is better, ___ or ___? | |
| ___ ist genauso gut wie ___. | ___ is as good as ___. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these comparisons handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps more, less, and the same ready at the counter.
Open Yak Cards