Master German Adjectives and Add Magic to Your Vocabulary!

What Are Adjectives?

An adjective is a word that describes, defines, or modifies a noun. These allow us to give more information and details about a person, place, or thing. In simple terms, adjectives provide additional information about the qualities, characteristics, or quantity of the noun. For example, a car is just a car. However, when you add an adjective to it, it becomes very specific, say a black convertible car.

In English, adjectives mean “to add”. However, German adjectives are known as “Wie-Wörter” (How-words) because they describe ‘how’ something is.

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How Do Adjectives Differ in German and English?

The difference between adjectives in German and English is that German adjectives change their endings depending on the gender, case, and number of the noun they describe. On the other hand, English adjectives remain the same irrespective of the noun.

Also Read: German idioms

Types of Adjectives in German

There are mainly three types of German adjectives - attributiv (attributive), prädikativ (predicative), and adverbial (adverbial).

Attribute Adjectives

Attribute adjectives come before a noun. Moreover, their ending changes according to the case of the sentence, gender, and number of the noun they’re describing. For example: Die rote Uhr ist teuer. (The red clock is expensive.)

Predicative Adjectives

A predicative adjective is placed after the verb sein (to be), bleiben (to remain), or werden (to become). These do not change their form. For example, Die Katze ist schwarz. (The cat is black.)

Adverbial Adjectives

Adverbial adjectives come after any other verb. These describe how an action is being performed, and do not change their form. It effectively acts as an adverb.For example: Der Bäcker knetet den Teig sorgfältig. (The baker mixes the dough carefully.)

Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives in German 

Adjectives in German, the comparative form of an adjective is made by adding ‘-er’ to the base form, while the superlative is formed by adding ‘am’ before the adjective and ‘-sten’ at the end; many short adjectives will also require an umlaut change in the comparative and superlative forms.

Comparative Adjectives

Here is a list of German adjectives along with the German comparative.

Superlative Adjectives

The table below shows the German adjectives list with the German superlatives.

How to Use Comparative and Superlative Adjectives in German?

1. Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things, people, or places. Moreover, it is formed by adding "-er" to the adjective. For example: groß - größer (big - bigger)

1. Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more things, showing the highest degree. Moreover, it is formed by adding "-st" or "-est" to the adjective. Further, it uses "am" + adjective + "-sten" OR "der/die/das" + adjective + "-ste". For example: groß - am größten (big - biggest)

Also Read: German tenses

List of Commonly Used German Adjectives

This section covers the German adjectives list that are commonly used. These include colors, shapes, sizes, tastes, feelings & emotions, and personality traits.

Die Farben (Colors)

If you want to describe colors, you’ll need a set of German adjectives, look at the list below.

Die Formen (Shapes)

If you want to describe shapes, then look at the list of German adjectives below.

Die Größen (Sizes)

German adjectives of size can be used to describe objects, animals, and people.

Also Read: German phrases

Die Geschmäcke (Tastes)

There are many ways to describe the taste of food and drinks using German adjectives, look at the list below.

Die Gefühle und Emotionen (Feelings and Emotions)

If you want to describe what’s going on inside yourself or someone else, you’ll need a set of German adjectives that describe emotions and physical feelings.

Die Charaktereigenschaften (Personality Traits)

Many traits make up a personality. Here are a handful of traits in German to get you started.

Conclusion

Wrapping up, the blog covered everything about the types of German adjectives, and the commonly used adjectives along with examples. To learn German, it is vital and essential to know adjectives and their usage. Thus, every student or individual should learn these as they not only help you build conversations with ease but also write well. For this, you may seek professional help from Gradding.com as our experts provide excellent German online coaching in this domain.

FAQ’s

1. What Are the Types of German Adjectives?

There are three types of German adjectives - attributiv (attributive), prädikativ (predicative), and adverbial (adverbial).

2. How to Form Comparative Adjectives?

For regular adjectives, the comparative form in German is “er”. For example:

• Laut - Lauter
• Schnell - Schneller
• Schön - Schöner

3. How to Form Superlative Adjectives in German?

For regular adjectives, the superlative form in German is “sten”, following the preposition “am”.

• Laut - Lautesten
• Schnell - Am schnellsten
• Schön - Am schönsten

4. What Are the Adjectives Rule in German?

German adjectives are used before nouns and are declined. Their ending changes according to the case of the sentence, the gender and number of the noun they're describing.