Explanation
Dan
“Dan” is used in the following cases:
- Comparative Degree: When expressing the degree of difference between two things.
Example: “Rotterdam heeft meer hoge gebouwen dan andere steden in Nederland.”
Here, you are comparing the number of tall buildings in Rotterdam with that in other cities. - Comparison of Actions: When comparing actions or changes over time.
Example: “Hij werkt harder dan vroeger.”
Here, you are comparing his current effort with his previous effort.
Als
“Als” is used in the following cases:
- Equality: When comparing two things that are equal in a certain aspect.
Example: “Hij is even groot als zijn broer.”
Here, you are comparing his height with that of his brother. - Comparison of Quality or Attribute: When comparing the nature or attribute of two things.
Example: “Hij is zo slim als zijn vriend.”
Here, you are comparing his intelligence with that of his friend.
When choosing between “dan” and “als,” consider whether you want to emphasize the degree of difference (dan) or the equality in attributes (als). Generally, “dan” is used for comparisons of quantity, degree, or actions, while “als” is used for comparisons of equality in attributes.