Comparing things in Spanish is essential for effective communication. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of how to construct comparisons of inequality, equality, and superlatives, along with irregular forms and examples to help you master this fundamental aspect of Spanish grammar.
Comparing Unequal Things in Spanish
To express differences between two or more things, use the following structure:
Más/Menos + Adjective/Adverb/Noun + Que
- Más indicates “more” or “-er” (e.g., taller, faster).
- Menos indicates “less” or “-er” (e.g., slower, less intelligent).
- Que means “than.”
Examples:
El libro es **más** interesante **que** la película.(The book is more interesting than the movie.)María corre **menos** rápido **que** Juan.(Maria runs less quickly than Juan.)Tengo **más** libros **que** tú.(I have more books than you.)
Comparing Quantities with Numbers
When comparing quantities involving numbers, use de instead of que after más or menos:
Tengo **más de** veinte años.(I am more than twenty years old.)Hay **menos de** diez personas aquí.(There are fewer than ten people here.)
Exception: In negative sentences, revert to using que:
No tengo **más que** cinco dólares.(I have no more than five dollars.)
Irregular Comparative Forms in Spanish
Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative forms:
- Bueno/Bien (good/well):
Mejor(better) –Este restaurante es **mejor que** el otro.(This restaurant is better than the other one.) - Malo/Mal (bad/badly):
Peor(worse) –Ella canta **peor que** yo.(She sings worse than me.) - Viejo/Mayor (old/older):
Mayor(older, referring to age) –Mi hermano es **mayor que** yo.(My brother is older than me.) Use “más viejo” for older objects. - Joven/Menor (young/younger):
Menor(younger, referring to age) –Mi hermana es **menor que** yo.(My sister is younger than me.) Use “más joven” for younger objects.
Comparing Equal Things in Spanish
To express similarities between two or more things, use these structures:
1. Tan + Adjective/Adverb + Como
Ella es **tan** inteligente **como** él.(She is as intelligent as him.)
2. Igual de + Adjective/Adverb + Que
La comida es **igual de** deliciosa **que** ayer.(The food is as delicious as yesterday.)
3. Lo mismo que
Este coche cuesta **lo mismo que** el otro.(This car costs the same as the other.)
Comparing Equal Nouns
Use tanto…como, tanta…como, tantos…como, or tantas…como depending on the gender and number of the noun:
Tiene **tantos** libros **como** yo.(He has as many books as I do.)Ella bebe **tanta** agua **como** él.(She drinks as much water as him.)
Superlative Comparisons in Spanish
To express the highest degree of a quality, use the following structure:
El/La/Los/Las + Más/Menos + Adjective + De
- El/La/Los/Las corresponds to the gender and number of the noun being modified.
- De indicates “of” or “in.”
Examples:
Ella es **la más** inteligente **de** la clase.(She is the most intelligent in the class.)Este es **el** libro **más** interesante **de** todos.(This is the most interesting book of all.)
Conclusion
Mastering comparisons in Spanish allows you to express a wide range of ideas with precision. By understanding the structures outlined in this guide and practicing their application, you’ll significantly enhance your Spanish communication skills. Remember to pay attention to irregular forms and choose the appropriate structure based on whether you are comparing inequalities, equalities, or superlatives.
