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"Mayor" is an adjective which is often translated as "bigger", and "igual" is an adjective which is often translated as "equal". Learn more about the difference between "mayor" and "igual" below.
mayor(
mah
-
yohr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
d. largest (superlative)
El mayor océano del mundo es el Pacífico.The world's largest ocean is the Pacific Ocean.
c. oldest (superlative)
Con 101 años, Juan era el mayor del pueblo.At 101 years, John was the oldest man in the village.
d. eldest (superlative)
Mi hijo mayor va a ser piloto de cazas.My eldest son is going to become a fighter pilot.
f. elderly
Las personas mayores han de cuidarse mucho.Elderly people should take good care of themselves.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
3. (military) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. major
El mayor y el capitán están planeando un nuevo ataque.The major and the captain are planning a new attack.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. head
El mayor del ministerio aprobó el presupuesto.The head of the department approved the budget.
los mayores, las mayores
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
5. (old people)
a. elderly
Hoy en día todo el mundo trabaja y nadie tiene tiempo para cuidar de los mayores.Everyone works nowadays and no one has time to look after the elderly.
b. elders
¿Por qué has contestado así a tu abuelo? Deberías respetar a tus mayores.Why did you answer your grandfather back like that? You should respect your elders.
a. grown-ups
Después de almorzar, los mayores tomaron café en el comedor y los niños se fueron a jugar al jardín.After lunch, the grown-ups had coffee in the dining room and the kids went to play in the garden.
b. adults
Los mayores a veces olvidan que ellos también fueron niños una vez.Adults sometimes forget that they were also children once.
igual(
ee
-
gwahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. equal
Todos somos iguales en esta casa y todos tenemos que cooperar con los quehaceres domésticos.We are all equal in this house, and we all have to help with the chores.
3. (similar)
5. (regular)
6. (sports)
b. level (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Los Spurs y Golden State van iguales.The Spurs and Golden State are level.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
8. (possibly)
9. (anyway)
a. just the same
Luís pidió disculpas pero la maestra lo castigó igual.Luis apologized, but the teacher punished him just the same.
b. still
Pagué la cuota a tiempo pero me cobraron recargos igual.I paid my dues on time, but was still charged late fees.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
10. (mathematics)
a. equal sign (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Esto debe ser un signo de mayor, no de igual.This should be a greater than symbol, not an equal sign.
b. equals sign (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No se olviden de poner el igual en el problema.Don't forget to write the equals sign in the problem.
los iguales
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
12. (colloquial) (lottery) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. lottery tickets
Compré unos iguales cuando estaba en Valencia.I bought some lottery tickets when I was in Valencia.
