My First Few Months in Berlin: Getting the Hang of Comparisons (and a Little Bit of Confusion)

Okay, so here I am, six months into living in Berlin. It’s… intense. I’ve moved here for my job as a junior marketing assistant, which is great, but honestly, the cultural differences have been a lot to take in. It’s not just the language, though that’s definitely a monster. It’s little things, like how people express opinions, how they talk about experiences, and, crucially, how they use comparisons. And let me tell you, the German approach to comparisons is… different. It’s thrown me for a loop more than once!

The Initial Shock: “Das ist doch nicht fair!”

The first time this really hit me was at a birthday party. My colleague, Markus, had baked a cake – a really lovely, rich chocolate one. I said, “Wow, Markus, this cake is amazing! It’s the best I’ve ever had!” He just stared at me, completely bewildered. Then, he said, very seriously, “Das ist doch nicht fair!” Which, I quickly learned, translates to “That’s not fair!”

I was mortified. Apparently, in German conversation, you don’t just happily declare something is ‘the best’ without a certain level of understated seriousness. It felt… boastful. I quickly apologized, explaining I was just trying to be positive. He chuckled and explained that the expectation is to offer a more considered opinion.

Building the Basics: “Mehr” vs. “Mehr als”

So, I started paying attention to how people were using “mehr” (more) and “mehr als” (more than). The difference is huge. I used to just say, “Dieser Kaffee ist mehr lecker!” (This coffee is more tasty!). That felt completely natural to me.

But then, Sarah, who works in the next office, corrected me. “You should say, ‘Dieser Kaffee ist mehr als lecker!’” she explained. “It means you’re really emphasizing how good it is. Saying just ‘mehr’ is a bit… underwhelming.”

She gave me an example: “Ich habe ein Buch gekauft – es ist mehr als gut!” (I bought a book – it’s more than good!). It’s about conveying a stronger, genuine feeling. It’s less about simply stating a fact and more about creating a reaction. The ‘than’ adds a layer of appreciation.

Practical Comparisons: Pricing and Size

This applies to pretty much everything. I was at a market yesterday, trying to buy some fruit. I asked for a kilo of apples. The vendor said, “Das kostet 2,50 Euro pro Kilo.” (That costs 2.50 Euros per kilo). It’s incredibly common to specify the unit when talking about prices – it’s much more precise than just saying “it costs 2.50 Euros.”

And when it comes to size, it’s similar. I was describing my apartment to a friend, and I said, “Meine Wohnung ist ziemlich groß.” (My apartment is quite big). He frowned and said, “Sagen Sie lieber, ‘Meine Wohnung ist größer als meine vorherige’!” (Say, ‘My apartment is bigger than my previous one!). Again, the emphasis is on establishing a relative comparison.

A Small Mistake, A Helpful Correction

I made another mistake last week when talking about my bike. I said, “Mein Fahrrad ist mehr schnell.” (My bicycle is more fast!). Thankfully, my supervisor, Herr Schmidt, noticed and gently corrected me. “No, no, you say: ‘Mein Fahrrad ist schneller als mein Auto.’” (No, no, you say: ‘My bicycle is faster than my car.’) He explained that using “mehr” incorrectly in this context sounded… well, a bit silly.

Key Phrases to Remember

Here are a few phrases I’m working on remembering:

• “Das ist mehr als…” (That’s more than…) – For expressing strong opinions or appreciation.
• “Es kostet … pro…” (It costs… per…) – For precise pricing.
• “Es ist größer/kleiner/besser/schlechter als…” (It’s bigger/smaller/better/worse than…) – For making direct comparisons.

The Takeaway: It’s About Tone and Context

Honestly, the biggest takeaway so far is that it’s not just about the grammar. It’s about the tone and the context. Germans value directness and precision, and they aren’t always comfortable with overly enthusiastic compliments. It’s a constant learning process, and I’m slowly, very slowly, getting it. I still slip up, but everyone is so patient and helpful. And you know what? Even though I’m still struggling with the nuances of German comparisons, I’m starting to appreciate the value of taking a slightly more considered approach to everything. It’s making me a more thoughtful communicator, and that’s a bonus!