Comparative and Superlative of Adjectives in Swedish

Comparative and superlative forms allow us to compare and express the degree of qualities and characteristics in Swedish. In this guide, we will explore how to form and use the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives in Swedish.

Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things or people. In Swedish, most comparative adjectives are formed by adding the suffix -are. Here's the general rule for forming comparative adjectives:

Comparative form: [Base form of adjective] + -are

For example:

• stor (big) becomes större (bigger)
• snabb (fast) becomes snabbare (faster)

Here are some additional examples:

• hög (high/tall) becomes högre (higher/taller)
• ung (young) becomes yngre (younger)
• gammal (old) becomes äldre (older)

Note: Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms. Here are a few examples:

• bra (good) becomes bättre (better)
• dålig (bad) becomes sämre (worse)

Superlative Adjectives

Superlative adjectives are used to express the highest degree of a quality or characteristic. In Swedish, most superlative adjectives are formed by adding the suffix -ast. Here's the general rule for forming superlative adjectives:

Superlative form: [Base form of adjective] + -ast

For example:

• stor (big) becomes störst (biggest)
• snabb (fast) becomes snabbast (fastest)

Here are some additional examples:

• hög (high/tall) becomes högst (highest/tallest)
• ung (young) becomes yngst (youngest)
• gammal (old) becomes äldst (oldest)

Note: Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. Here are a few examples:

• bra (good) becomes bäst (best)
• dålig (bad) becomes sämst (worst)

Usage of Comparative and Superlative Forms

Now that we know how to form comparative and superlative adjectives, let's look at how we use them in sentences.

Comparative Case

When comparing two things or people, we use the comparative forms of adjectives. To construct a comparison, we use the word än (than) in Swedish.

Sentence structure: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Adjective] + [än] + [Object]

For example:

• Pelle är yngre än Lisa. (Pelle is younger than Lisa.)
• Den här boken är längre än den andra. (This book is longer than the other one.)

Superlative Case

When expressing the highest degree of a quality or characteristic, we use the superlative forms of adjectives. To construct a superlative sentence, we use the definite article den/det (the) followed by the superlative adjective.

Sentence structure: Den/Det + [Superlative Adjective] + [Noun]

For example:

• Det här är den största byggnaden i staden. (This is the biggest building in the city.)
• Hon är den smartaste personen jag känner. (She is the smartest person I know.)

Summary

• Comparative adjectives are formed by adding -are to the base form of the adjective.
• Superlative adjectives are formed by adding -ast to the base form of the adjective.
• Some adjectives have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative.
• In comparative sentences, we use än to compare two things.
• In superlative sentences, we use the definite article den/det followed by the superlative adjective.

Congratulations! You now have a solid understanding of comparative and superlative forms of adjectives in Swedish. Practice using them in sentences to reinforce your knowledge and expand your Swedish vocabulary.