To compare two things in French, use plus…que (more than), moins…que (less than), or aussi…que (as…as).
Paris est plus grand que Lyon. — Paris is bigger than Lyon. Ce film est moins intéressant que l'autre. — This film is less interesting. Elle est aussi intelligente que lui. — She is as intelligent as him. The adjective agrees with the noun it describes.
Comparative — Irregular Forms
Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms.
bon(ne) → meilleur(e) (NOT ~~plus bon~~) mauvais(e) → pire OR plus mauvais(e) petit(e) → plus petit(e) OR moindre (lesser, abstract)
Ce restaurant est meilleur que l'autre. Cette situation est pire qu'avant.
The Superlative — Most / Least
Use le/la/les + plus/moins + adjective for the superlative.
C'est le film le plus intéressant. — It's the most interesting film. Elle est la plus grande de la classe. — She is the tallest in the class. C'est le moins cher. — It's the cheapest (least expensive). The article (le/la/les) agrees with the noun.
Superlative — Irregular and Position
Adjectives that normally come before the noun keep that position in the superlative.
le meilleur restaurant — the best restaurant (meilleur before noun) la pire décision — the worst decision For adjectives that follow the noun: l'étudiante la plus intelligente — the most intelligent student (the article repeats after the noun)
Quick Summary
Comparison patterns at a glance.
• Comparative: plus/moins/aussi + adj. + que. • Superlative: le/la/les + plus/moins + adj. • bon → meilleur; mauvais → pire. • After le plus / la plus, use de for 'in a group': le plus grand de la classe — the tallest in the class.
Common Mistakes
better (adj.)
→
meilleur(e)
Never 'plus bon' — use meilleur.
the most interesting film
→
le film le plus intéressant
Article + noun + le + plus + adj. when adj. follows noun.