Hårdere

Hårdere is the comparative form of the Danish adjective hård, meaning hard, tough, or strong. It is used to indicate that one object or situation has a greater degree of hardness or intensity than another. The form is part of Danish grammar and is typically employed in comparative clauses to express that something is more hard or more difficult than something else.

Etymology and related forms: The word derives from Old Norse harðr and the broader Germanic root *harduz. Cognates appear in other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish hård and Norwegian hard, which have analogous comparative forms. In Danish, the standard comparative form of hård is usually presented as hårdere, with the suffix -ere applied to the stem.

Usage and meaning: Hårdere is used across a range of contexts to describe physical properties, situations, or abstract qualities. For materials, it conveys greater hardness or stiffness (for example, a material that is harder than another). For activities or tasks, it can express greater difficulty or intensity (a harder workout, a harder problem). In discussing resilience, determination, or strength, hårdere can compare degrees of mental or emotional toughness.

Regional and language notes: In Norwegian Bokmål, the corresponding comparative is typically hardere, while Swedish uses hårdare. Spelling and usage reflect each language’s orthographic conventions, though the underlying concept—comparing degrees of hardness—remains consistent across the languages.

See also: hardness, comparative degree, Danish language.