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Comparisons (1/2)

Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 11.11.1

Adjectives for Comparing Things

There are three types of comparisons in Spanish; being worse to something else ('menos...que'), be better than something else ('más....que'), being the same as something else ('tan...como').

'Menos...que'

'Menos...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'

'Más...que'

  • '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'

  • '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.

Adjectives that Change for Comparing

Some adjectives change their spelling when used for comparing things.

'Bueno, a, os, as' → 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' → 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'

'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.
'Pequeño, a, os, as → 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.

Test yourself on Comparisons (1/2)

  • How do you say 'as funny as' in Spanish?

  • ¿Qué significa 'mi hermano es más alto que yo' en inglés?

  • How do you say 'Will is younger than Matt' in Spanish?

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