Comparatives and Superlatives in French: plus, moins, meilleur, le plus — A2 Guide

Imagine you're choosing between two bakeries: one has a crispier baguette, the other is cheaper. How do you compare and choose "the best" in French? Today you'll learn the simple patterns for saying "more," "less," "as," "the best," and "the most." We'll focus on everyday phrases you can use right away — with exercises to practice as you go.

What are comparatives and superlatives?

  • Comparatives compare two things: plus (more), moins (less), aussi (as). Example: "Ce café est plus calme que le bar."
  • Superlatives say something is the "most" or the "least": le plus (the most), le moins (the least). Example: "C'est le restaurant le plus cher du quartier."

We’ll also meet two very common words: meilleur (better) and mieux (better), and learn when to use each one.

French
Ce café est plus calme que le bar.
This café is calmer than the bar.
French
Mon vélo est aussi rapide que ta trottinette.
My bike is as fast as your scooter.
French
Cette maison est moins chère que l’autre.
This house is less expensive than the other one.
🧠 Spot the right comparative

Quantities: plus de / moins de / autant de + noun

To compare amounts, use:

  • plus de + noun + que
  • moins de + noun + que
  • autant de + noun + que

Examples you’ll hear every day:

French
Il y a plus de monde dans le métro le matin que le soir.
There are more people on the metro in the morning than in the evening.
French
Nous avons moins de devoirs aujourd’hui que lundi.
We have fewer homework assignments today than on Monday.
French
Il y a autant de neige ici qu’à Lyon.
There is as much snow here as in Lyon.

Il y a de touristes en été qu’en hiver.

plus des gens → plus de gens After plus/moins/autant with a noun, use **de** (not des).

Actions and adverbs: plus/moins/aussi + adverb, and bien → mieux

To compare how actions are done (speaking, driving, singing), use adverbs:

  • Elle parle plus doucement que moi.
  • Il conduit moins prudemment que son frère.
  • Tu chantes aussi bien que moi.

Important: bien (well) becomes mieux (better) in comparisons and le mieux (the best) in superlatives.

French
Il conduit mieux que moi.
He drives better than me.

Tu joues bien que Marc.

Il parle plus bien que moi. → Il parle mieux que moi. Use **mieux** (comparative of bien), not "plus bien".

Adjectives: bon/bonne → meilleur(e)

When something is good (bon/bonne), the comparative is meilleur(e) and the superlative is le/la meilleur(e).

  • Cette pizza est meilleure que l’autre. (comparative)
  • C’est la meilleure pizza du quartier. (superlative)

For actions (well), use bien → mieux → le mieux:

  • Elle chante mieux que moi.
  • Elle chante le mieux de la classe.

Cette pizza est que celle de Paul.

Superlatives: le/la/les plus, le/la/les moins

To say something is "the most" or "the least":

  • le/la/les + plus + adjective
  • le/la/les + moins + adjective

Examples:

  • C’est le restaurant le plus cher du quartier.
  • Ma sœur est la plus sportive de la famille.

With adverbs (no agreement):

  • Elle chante le mieux.
  • Il travaille le plus le matin.
French
C’est le restaurant le plus cher du quartier.
It’s the most expensive restaurant in the neighborhood.
French
Elle chante le mieux.
She sings the best.
la article (fem.) plus superlative marker jolie adjective
🔠 Put the words in order

Form: sujet + est + le/la/les plus + adjectif + groupe de lieu

💬 Choosing transport: compare and decide

Cultural note: sounding natural

You’ll hear comparisons everywhere in France: in weather reports ("plus chaud que hier"), in restaurant reviews ("le meilleur burger"), and in transport ads ("plus rapide" trains). Notice how French speakers shorten que to qu’ before a vowel sound: "plus grand qu’Emma", "autant d’habitude qu’avant".

Also, with places, de often becomes du/de la/des by contraction:

  • le plus cher du quartier (de + le)
  • la plus belle de la ville

Use these small details to sound more local!

plus
more
adverbe
Marc est plus grand que Léo.
Marc is taller than Leo.
moins
less
adverbe
Ce train est moins cher.
This train is less expensive.
aussi
as
adverbe
Elle est aussi sportive que lui.
She is as athletic as him.
autant de
as much/many
locution
Il y a autant de cafés ici qu’à côté.
There are as many cafés here as next door.
bon/bonne
good
adjectif
Ce gâteau est bon.
This cake is good.
meilleur/meilleure
better / best (adjective)
adjectif
C’est la meilleure boulangerie.
It’s the best bakery.
bien
well
adverbe
Il joue bien.
He plays well.
mieux
better (adverb)
adverbe
Elle cuisine mieux que moi.
She cooks better than me.
cher/chère
expensive
adjectif
Ce restaurant est cher.
This restaurant is expensive.
rapide
fast
adjectif
Le TGV est rapide.
The TGV is fast.
lent/lente
slow
adjectif
Ce bus est lent.
This bus is slow.
grand/grande
big, tall
adjectif
Paris est une grande ville.
Paris is a big city.

Quick practice: mix and match

Try a few more. Think of everyday comparisons: food, transport, weather, prices. Keep the structure simple and watch for agreement with adjectives.

Il est grand que son frère.

Ce musée est intéressant que l’autre.

🔠 Put the words in order

Superlative with an adverb: le mieux + group

Summary

  • Compare adjectives: plus/moins/aussi + adjective + que. Agreement matters.
  • Compare quantities: plus/moins/autant de + noun + que.
  • Compare actions/adverbs: plus/moins/aussi + adverb + que.
  • bon/bonne → meilleur(e); bien → mieux.
  • Superlatives: le/la/les plus/moins + adjective; and le mieux for adverbs.

With these patterns, you can compare like a local — from croissants to ticket prices, trains, and weather. Keep listening for "qu’" before vowels and the little contractions (du/de la/des). You’ve got this!

Keep going!

Practice by describing your day:

  • Le matin est plus calme que le soir.
  • Mon trajet est moins long aujourd’hui.
  • C’est la meilleure pause-café de la semaine.

Small, daily comparisons will make these forms natural. Bon courage !