stärker

Stärker is the comparative form of the German adjective stark, meaning "strong." It is used to compare two entities or states, most commonly with the conjunction als, as in X ist stärker als Y ("X is stronger than Y"). As a predicative adjective, it can express change or degree, for example Er ist stärker geworden ("he has become stronger").

Etymology and form: The comparative is created from stark with the suffix -er and often a stem umlaut (stark → stärker). When used attributively, the adjective takes different endings depending on gender, number, and case, such as der stärkere Mann, das stärkere Auto, die stärkeren Männer. In predicative position, the form remains stärker, as in Der Mann ist stärker als der andere.

Usage notes: In German, stärke forms are typically written in lowercase unless at the beginning of a sentence or used as a proper name. Stärker functions as a normal adjective for comparisons and, in fixed expressions, may appear in adverbial-like positions in connection with verbs of growth or degree (e.g., stärker werden).

Variants and related forms: The corresponding superlative is am stärksten, used for the highest degree (am stärksten). The base adjective stark has related terms such as Stärke (strength) and stärken (to strengthen).

See also: Stark (adjective), Vergleich (grammatical comparison), Deutsch grammar, Superlativ.