Comparatifs et Superlatifs

The comparative (le comparatif) allows us to compare two nouns. There are three types of comparison:

• moins … que   less … than,
• aussi … que   as … as
• plus … que   more … than.

The adjective ending agrees with the gender and number of the noun it is describing.

☞  Jean est moins ambitieux que Pierre.  Jean is less ambitious than Pierre

☞  La Mercedes est aussi belle que la Volvo.  The Mercedes is as beautiful as the Volvo.

☞  L’avion est plus rapide que le train.  The plane is faster than the train.

The superlative adjective

The superlative (le superlatif) compares one thing against a whole group and expresses the idea of

• le plus … the most or
• le moins … the least

We construct the superlative by using le/la/les plus + adjective or le/la/les moins + adjective. The adjective’s ending agrees with the noun it is describing.

☞  Vincent est le plus doué.  Vincent is the most gifted.

☞  La Maserati est la voiture la plus rapide.  The Maserati is the fastest car.

☞  Les Français sont les personnes les plus romantiques .  The French are the most romantique individuals.

Irregular comparatives and superlatives in French

Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms.