{"id":12496,"date":"2024-12-16T04:06:16","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T03:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/maria-es-mas-alta-que-tu-the-comparative-form-of-adjectives\/"},"modified":"2025-03-29T01:47:05","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T00:47:05","slug":"maria-es-mas-alta-que-tu-the-comparative-form-of-adjectives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/maria-es-mas-alta-que-tu-the-comparative-form-of-adjectives\/","title":{"rendered":"Mar\u00eda es m\u00e1s alta que t\u00fa: the comparative form of adjectives."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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n a previous article, we saw descriptive adjectives in Spanish, their grammatical genders, their plurals, and their usage. In this article, we will look at another function of adjectives, also very common in the language: the comparative form of adjectives. This is an important topic and not too difficult to understand, although, as we will see, there are some irregular forms when forming comparatives. Let's go!<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The comparative form of adjectives is used to compare qualities between two nouns, which can be people, animals, objects, abstract concepts, etc. There are basically three types of comparison: superiority, which indicates that a quality is greater in one noun than in the other; inferiority, which indicates that a quality is lesser in one noun than in the other; and equality, which indicates that both nouns possess the quality to the same degree. Let\u2019s see how they are formed.<\/p>

Superioridad: <\/b>m\u00e1s + adjetivo + que.<\/p>

These constructions typically use the verb ser and involve two nouns. The adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun that is the grammatical subject of the sentence, meaning the noun that “performs” the action of being something and is compared to another.<\/p>

Mar\u00eda es m\u00e1s alta que<\/b> Pedro. Mar\u00eda es m\u00e1s alta que <\/b>todos los hombres. Mar\u00eda is taller than Pedro. Mar\u00eda is taller than all men.<\/p>

Estas naranjas son m\u00e1s dulces que<\/b> esas. Mi naranja es m\u00e1s dulce que <\/b>las tuyas. These oranges are sweeter than those. My orange is sweeter than yours.<\/p>

El libro es m\u00e1s interesante que <\/b>la pel\u00edcula. Los libros son m\u00e1s complicados que <\/b>las pel\u00edculas. The book is more interesting than the movie. Books are more complicated than movies.<\/p>

Inferioridad: <\/b>menos + adjetivo + que.<\/p>

Just like comparisons of superiority, those of inferiority are usually constructed with the verb ser, and the adjective again agrees with the grammatical subject. Unlike the comparison of superiority, the comparison of inferiority indicates that the intensity of the adjective is lesser in the grammatical subject. Let\u2019s see it with the same examples:<\/p>

Mar\u00eda es menos alta que <\/b>Pedro. Mar\u00eda es menos alta que <\/b>todos los hombres. Mar\u00eda is less tall than Pedro. Mar\u00eda is less tall than all men.<\/p>

Estas naranjas son menos dulces que <\/b>esas. Mi naranja es menos dulce que <\/b>las tuyas. These oranges are less sweet than those. Mi orange is less sweet than yours.<\/p>

El libro es menos interesante que <\/b>la pel\u00edcula. Los libros son menos complicados que <\/b>las pel\u00edculas. The book is less interesting than the film. The books are less complicated than the films.<\/p>

From the above, we can conclude that there are several ways to express the same idea. For example, I can say that el Aconcagua es m\u00e1s bajo que el Everest (Aconcagua is shorter than Everest), that el Aconcagua es menos alto que el Everest (Aconcagua is less tall than Everest), that el Everest es m\u00e1s alto que el Aconcagua (Everest is taller than Aconcagua), or that el Everest es menos bajo que el Aconcagua (Everest is less short than Aconcagua), and the message is objectively the same: Everest has more meters of height, Aconcagua has fewer. So, which option should we choose? In general, when talking about something quantitative and measurable, the comparison of superiority is used. That is, in the case of mountains, the most naturally used phrase would be \u201cel Everest es m\u00e1s alto que el Aconcagua\u201d. And since it\u2019s something quantitative, if we want to emphasize Aconcagua\u2019s lower height, the phrase that would sound more natural would be \u201cel Aconcagua es m\u00e1s bajo que el Everest\u201d, meaning the comparative of superiority but with the opposite adjective. However, if we want to emphasize, for example, a subjectively negative quality, we would choose the comparison of inferiority, like in \u201cEstas naranjas son menos dulces que esas\u201d (These oranges are less sweet than those). The subjective load is strong, and like many other things when learning a foreign language, the choice of the option that sounds most natural is acquired through practice.<\/p>

Equality<\/b>: Comparatives of equality express that both nouns have a quality with the same intensity. Like the previous ones, they are usually constructed with the verb ser, and the adjective agrees in gender and number with the grammatical subject. However, in this case, there are two common constructions, and their usage will depend on the variety of Spanish. Let\u2019s look at both using the same examples as before.<\/p>

Tan + adjetivo + como.<\/b><\/p>

Mar\u00eda es tan alta como<\/b> Pedro. Mar\u00eda es tan alta como <\/b>todos los hombres. Mar\u00eda is as tall as Pedro. Mar\u00eda is as tall as all men.<\/p>

Estas naranjas son tan dulces como<\/b> esas. Mi naranja es tan dulce como <\/b>las tuyas. These oranges are as sweet as those. My orange is as sweet as yours.<\/p>

El libro es tan interesante como <\/b>la pel\u00edcula. Los libros son tan interesantes como <\/b>las pel\u00edculas. The book is as interesting as the film. The books are as interesting as the films.<\/p>

Igual de + adjetivo + que.<\/b><\/p>

Mar\u00eda es igual de alta que<\/b> Pedro. Mar\u00eda es igual de alta que <\/b>todos los hombres. Same translation.<\/p>

Estas naranjas son igual de dulces que<\/b> esas. Mi naranja es igual de dulce que <\/b>las tuyas. Same translation.<\/p>

El libro es igual de interesante que <\/b>la pel\u00edcula. Los libros son igual de complicados que <\/b>las pel\u00edculas. Same translation.<\/p>

In my variety of Spanish, Rioplatense, the second option is used in spoken language, and the first one, personally, and I\u2019m sure for most speakers of this variety, sounds literary. But as I always advise when asked which one to learn and which not, in reference to this particular topic and also others, from my point of view, the best option is to learn everything. If you learn everything, you understand everything, and also, you have an easier chance of adapting to potential interlocutors, styles, etc.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Irregular adjectives.
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There are some adjectives that, when used in the comparative form, have irregular forms. In these cases, the irregular form is used without adding m\u00e1s<\/i> (more) or menos <\/i> (less). They vary in singular and plural but are the same in both grammatical genders. Let’s see some examples. <\/p>\n

Bueno: <\/b>mejor. Good, better. Este restaurante es mejor que aquel. (This restaurant is better than that one.) Estos restaurantes son mejores que aquellos. (These restaurants are better than those.) Esta nadadora es mejor que esa. (This swimmer is better than that one.) Estas nadadoras son mejores que esas. (These swimmers are better than those.) <\/p>\n

Malo: <\/b>peor. Bad, worse. \u00c9l es peor que t\u00fa en matem\u00e1ticas. (He is worse than you in math.) Ellos son peores que ustedes en matem\u00e1ticas. (They are worse than you in math.) La tormenta de ayer fue peor que la de la semana pasada. (Yesterday’s storm was worse than last week’s.) Las tormentas de este a\u00f1o fueron peores que las del a\u00f1o pasado. (The storms this year were worse than last year’s.) <\/p>\n

Joven: <\/b>menor. \u00c9l es menor que yo. (He is younger than me.) Mis primos son todos menores que mi hermana. (My cousins are all younger than my sister.) Mi madre es menor que tu abuelo. (My mother is younger than your grandfather.) Mis hermanas son menores que t\u00fa. (My sisters are younger than you.) <\/p>\n

Viejo: <\/b>(in reference only to age) mayor. Yo soy mayor que mi hermana. (I am older than my sister.) Ellos son mayores que nosotros. (They are older than us.) Mi t\u00eda es mayor que mi madre. (My aunt is older than my mother.) \u00bfTus hermanas son mayores que t\u00fa? (Are your sisters older than you?) <\/p>\n

In spoken language, and always depending on the variety of Spanish being used, these comparatives may not be used. That is, you might hear expressions like m\u00e1s\/menos malo (worse), m\u00e1s\/menos joven (younger), etc. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Comparison of quantities.
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When we compare the quantity of something against a number, there are some changes in the constructions. In this case, in addition to the constructions with ser, constructions with hay<\/i>, the impersonal form of the verb haber, and with tener are also common. <\/p>\n

Superioridad: <\/b>m\u00e1s de + n\u00famero. <\/p>\n

Hay m\u00e1s de 40.000 personas en el estadio. There are more than 40,000 people in the stadium. <\/p>\n

Ellos son m\u00e1s de 10 personas. They are more than 10 people. <\/p>\n

Tengo m\u00e1s de dos l\u00e1pices. I have more than two pencils. <\/p>\n

Inferioridad: <\/b>menos de + n\u00famero. <\/p>\n

Hay menos de 40.000 personas en el estadio. There are fewer than 40,000 people in the stadium. <\/p>\n

Ellos son menos de 10 personas. They are fewer than 10 people. <\/p>\n

Tengo menos de dos l\u00e1pices. I have fewer than two pencils. <\/p>\n

Equality<\/b>: tanto\/a, tantos\/as + noun + como. Tanto <\/i> agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to and means the same amount or intensity of something. <\/p>\n

Hace tanto calor como el a\u00f1o pasado. It\u2019s as hot as last year. <\/p>\n

Tengo tantos l\u00e1pices como t\u00fa. I have as many pencils as you. <\/p>\n

Tengo tanta energ\u00eda como ayer. I have as much energy as yesterday. <\/p>\n

Hay tantas personas como ayer en el estadio. There are as many people as yesterday in the stadium. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Finally, something very easy! For negative expressions, it\u2019s enough to add \u201cno\u201d before the verb, in any of the cases. <\/p>\n

Mar\u00eda no <\/b>es menos alta que <\/b>Pedro. Mar\u00eda no <\/b>es menos alta que <\/b>todos los hombres. Mar\u00eda isn’t less tall than Pedro. Mar\u00eda isn’t less tall as all men. <\/p>\n

Estas naranjas no <\/b>son menos dulces que <\/b>esas. Mi naranja no <\/b>es menos dulce que <\/b>las tuyas. These oranges aren’t less sweet than those. My orange isn’t less sweet than yours. <\/p>\n

Este restaurante no <\/b>es mejor que aquel. Estos restaurantes no <\/b>son mejores que aquellos. This restaurant isn’t better than that one. These restaurants aren’t better than those ones. <\/p>\n

No <\/b>hay m\u00e1s de 40.000 personas en el estadio. There aren’t more than 40.000 people in the stadium. <\/p>\n

I love pragmatics, so I would include a few paragraphs continuing on this topic, talking about sentence order, which is very flexible in Spanish, and subjective meanings. But reviewing the article, I think this is enough information for now. Here are some exercises to practice this topic. Thanks for reading! <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>Prev<\/span><\/span>Anterior<\/span>Direct object pronouns: fill in the blanks (II)<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tSiguiente<\/span>The comparative form of adjectives: choose the right option<\/span><\/span><\/path><\/svg>Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The comparative form of adjectives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15622,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[144],"tags":[158],"class_list":["post-12496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grammar","tag-feed-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12496"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15649,"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12496\/revisions\/15649"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conexionsp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}