Comparatives in Spanish refer to comparing one thing or one set of things to another. They come in three forms: comparisons of superiority, comparisons of inferiority and comparisons of equality.
In this article, we are only going to be looking at comparisons of superiority and inferiority. In English we add –er or more for superiority and less for inferiority. Let’s see now how comparatives in Spanish are formed.
Comparatives in Spanish
Comparatives in Spanish are formed using specific structures.
- For comparisons of superiority, you should use
más + adjective +que . For example,La falda es más barata que el abrigo (The skirt is cheaper than the coat). - Then for comparisons on inferiority, you should say
menos + adjective +que , as inElla es menos elegante que su amiga (She is less elegant than her friend).
Let’s look at some examples to better understand the usage of comparatives in Spanish.
Comparisons on Superiority
In Spanish if you want to say something or someone has more of a particular quality than another you’ll use the following structure.
| MÁS | adjective | QUE |
| rápida | ||
| lista | ||
| alto | ||
| caro |
In English the adjective is invariable. However, remember that in Spanish adjectives need to be changed so that they agree with the noun they are describing.
Laura es más rápida que Juan.
Laura is faster than Juan.
Mi hermana es más lista que yo.
My sister is smarter than I am.
Este edificio es más alto que esa torre.
This building is taller than that tower.
Este libro es más caro que aquel lápiz.
This book is more expensive than that pencil.
¿Tu cama es más cómoda que mi sillón?
Is your bed more comfortable than my armchair?
Esta casa es más grande que mi piso.
This house is bigger than my apartment.
Mi comida es más sana que la comida de este restaurante.
My food is healthier than the food in this restaurant.
Comparisons of Inferiority
In Spanish if you want to say something or someone has less of a particular quality than another you’ll use the following structure.
| MENOS | adjective | QUE |
| cara | ||
| confortable | ||
| vago | ||
| interesante |
Esta camisa es menos cara que esa blusa.
This shirt is less expensive than that blouse.
Mi casa es menos confortable que su casa.
My house is less comfortable than her house.
Este hombre es menos vago que tu hermano.
This man is less lazy than that your brother.
El libro es menos interesante que la película.
The book is less interesting than the movie.
Los perros son menos inteligentes que los delfines.
Dogs are less intelligent than dolphins.
La dependienta es menos agradable que la panadera.
The saleswoman is less nice than the baker.
Esta limonada está menos dulce que este zumo de naranja.
This lemonade is less sweet than this orange juice.
Notes
Note that, just like in English, the second
Antonio es más inteligente que Renata, pero ella es más amable que él.
Antonio is smarter than Renata, but she’s kinder than him.
Antonio es más inteligente que Renata, pero ella es más amable.
Antonio is smarter than Renata, but she’s kinder.
Notice also the use of the word
Las profesoras son más participativas que los estudiantes, pero son menos creativas.
Teachers are more participative than students, but they’re less creative.
La hermana de José es más paciente que él, pero es menos generosa.
José’s sister is more patient than he is, but she’s less generous.
Este ordenador es menos caro que ese, pero es más viejo.
This computer is less expensive than that one, but it’s older.
Exercises
In this article about comparatives in Spanish, we have seen that it does not matter how many syllables the adjective has since there are no suffixes involved. Now let’s practice these structures with the following exercises.