Comparisons (2/2)

Q: Less, Smaller and Younger

The adjective **pequeño** changes its spelling when used for comparing things. It can mean less, smaller or younger.

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Comparisons

When using adverbs to compare people or things, you use them in the same way as adjectives. You use them with the same structure (más que, menos que etc). For adverbs the structure is: más/menos/tan etc + adverb + que (como for tan).

Más, menos, tan

Come más rapidamente que yo.
- He eats more quickly than I do.
Mi hermano es menos fuerte que yo.
- My brother is less strong than I am.
Corres tan rapidamente como él.
- You run as quickly as him.

Absolute superlative

Some adverbs can use, what is called, the absolute superlative.
To form it you add 'ísimo' to the adverb.
- Muchísimo
  - So much.
There are 3 irregulars:
- Cerquísima.
  - Very close.
- Poquísimo.
  - Very little.
Lejísimos.
- Very far.

Adjectives for Comparing Things

There are several ways to make comparisons in Spanish. Some adjectives change their spelling when used for comparing things.

Menos...que and más...que

Menos...que is used to mean 'less than'.
- Flora es menos amable que Bella.
  - Flora is less friendly than Bella.
- Un límon es menos dulce que una naranja.
  - A lemon is less sweet than an orange.
Más...que is used to mean 'more than'.
- Una película es más interesante que un libro.
  - A film is more interesting than a book.
- Soy más gracioso que mi hermano.
  - I am more funny than my brother.

Tan...como

Tan...como is used to mean 'as (something) as'.
- Mi hermana es tan alta como mi madre.
  - My sister is as tall as my mum.
- Tan pronto como sea posible.
  - As soon as possible.

'Bueno, a, os, as' &rightarrow; mejor, es'

'Bueno, a, os, as' → mejor, es'

When used to compare things, 'bueno' becomes 'mejor'.
It means 'better'.
- El clima es mejor en España que en Inglaterra.
- The climate in Spain is better than in England
- El pastel es mejor que las verduras.
  - Cake is better than vegetables.

'Malo, a, os, as' &rightarrow; peor, es'

'Malo, a, os, as' → peor, es'

When used to compare things, 'malo' becomes 'peor'.
It means 'worse'.
- El colegio es peor que el fútbol.
  - School is worse than football.
- La cerveza es peor que el agua.
  - Beer is worse than water.

'Grande, es → mayor, es'

When used to compare things, 'grande' changes to 'mayor'.
It means bigger.
- La casa es mayor que el apartamiento.
  - The house is bigger than the apartment.
- El perro es mayor que el gato.
  - The dog is bigger than the cat.

Less, Smaller and Younger

The adjective pequeño changes its spelling when used for comparing things. It can mean less, smaller or younger.

'Pequeño, a, os, as &rightarrow; menor, es'

'Pequeño, a, os, as → menor, es'

When used to compare things, 'pequeño' changes to 'menor'.
It means less, smaller or younger.
- Soy menor que mi hermana.
  - I am younger than my sister.
- La diferencia será menor que nunca.
  - The difference will be less than ever.