zartere

Zartere is the comparative form of the German adjective zart, meaning more tender, delicate, or mild. It is used to compare the degree of tenderness or delicacy between two or more things, often in contexts related to touch, texture, or flavor.

In attributions before a noun, zartere follows the standard German adjective declension. Its ending varies with gender, number, and case. For example: Eine zartere Haut bedeutet weniger Trockenheit als eine andere Haut. Die zartere Haut des Babys erfordert sanfte Pflege. Der zartere Duft des Lavendels wirkt beruhigend. When used without a definite article or in plural, the form can differ, but the general rule is that it adapts like other comparative adjectives in attributive position.

Predicative use, where the adjective stands after a linking verb, typically employs the base comparative form zarter (not zartere). For instance: Die Haut ist zarter als zuvor. In comparative constructions with more than two items, expressions like “zarter als” or “am zartesten” are common.

Etymology and related forms: zartere originates from the German adjective zart, with the usual German comparative suffix -er. The word is closely related to other Germanic languages’ terms for tenderness and delicacy, and it shares roots with historical forms that describe softness, gentleness, and mildness.

See also: German grammar, adjectives, comparative degree, attributive adjectives.