The pattern
Use dan for "than" after a comparative (the -er form, like groter, bigger) and in anders dan (different from). For "as ... as", use zo ... als or even ... als.
- groter dan, duurder dan, beter dan: bigger than, more expensive than, better than
- meer dan, minder dan, liever ... dan: more than, less than, rather ... than
- (net) zo groot als: (just) as big as; net adds "just" or "exactly"
- even groot als: as big as; this even means "equally", not "for a moment"
- niet zo groot als: not as big as
- anders dan: different from
Examples
| Daan is groter dan Bas. | Daan is taller than Bas. |
| De trein is sneller dan de bus. | The train is faster than the bus. |
| De supermarkt is vandaag drukker dan normaal. | The supermarket is busier than usual today. |
| Priya heeft meer vrije dagen dan Ahmed. | Priya has more days off than Ahmed. |
| Ik drink liever thee dan koffie. | I would rather drink tea than coffee. |
| Het is vandaag net zo koud als gisteren. | Today it is just as cold as yesterday. |
| Fatima is even oud als haar buurvrouw. | Fatima is as old as her neighbour. |
| Mei fietst net zo snel als Carlos. | Mei cycles just as fast as Carlos. |
| Mijn fiets is niet zo nieuw als die van Joris. | My bike is not as new as Joris's bike. |
| Het leven hier is anders dan in Spanje. | Life here is different from life in Spain. |
Why it works this way
You compare things all day: prices, the weather, the train and the bus. Dutch splits this job in two.
Dan goes with difference. Words like groter, meer, liever and anders already tell you the two sides are not the same, and dan brings in the other side. Als goes with sameness. It is also the word for "as" in Ik werk als kok (I work as a cook), so zo groot als maps neatly onto "as big as".
- Sanne is groter dan Yara. They are different heights.
- Sanne is net zo groot als Yara. They are the same height.
In casual speech you will hear groter als and beter als a lot, also from people born here. Understand it, but in standard Dutch, in emails and in exams, use dan after a comparative. If you speak German, take extra care: German "größer als" is Dutch groter dan, and German "so groß wie" is Dutch zo groot als.
To build the -er forms, see Comparatives: groter, mooier, duurder. Als also means "if" or "when", a different job covered in Als, wanneer or toen.
Remember: dan for different, als for alike. In a comparison, the word in front decides: a comparative or anders takes dan, while zo or even takes als. That is why niet zo duur als keeps its als, even though it describes a difference.
Watch out
IncorrectoLotte is ouder als Sanne.
CorrectoLotte is ouder dan Sanne.
common in casual speech, but standard Dutch uses dan after a comparative
IncorrectoJoris is langer dan mij.
CorrectoJoris is langer dan ik.
standard Dutch uses ik here, as in dan ik ben
IncorrectoEmma is net zo lang zoals haar vader.
CorrectoEmma is net zo lang als haar vader.
zoals means "like" or "such as"; "as ... as" is zo ... als
IncorrectoDit huis is anders van ons oude huis.
CorrectoDit huis is anders dan ons oude huis.
English says "different from", Dutch says anders dan
Quick check
- Fill in the gap: De bus is langzamer ... de trein.
- Fill in the gap: Mijn kamer is net zo groot ... jouw kamer.
- Choose: Werken in Nederland is anders (als / dan) werken in India.
- Fix the sentence: Ahmed fietst sneller als zijn broer.
Ver las respuestas
- dan: langzamer is a comparative.
- als: "just as big as" is net zo groot als.
- dan: "different from" is anders dan.
- Ahmed fietst sneller dan zijn broer. Standard Dutch uses dan after sneller.
Use it today
Choose two things you know well, like two cities, two supermarkets or your old and new job. Say or write three sentences: one with -er dan, one with net zo ... als and one with anders dan, for example Utrecht is kleiner dan Amsterdam.