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"Más" is a form of "más", an adverb which is often translated as "more". "Mayor" is an adjective which is often translated as "bigger". Learn more about the difference between "mayor" and "más" 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.
más(
mahs
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. more (with adjective)
Es más guapo que su hermano.He is more handsome than his brother.
Es mucho más simpática cuando la conoces bien.She is much nicer when you get to know her.
b. more (with verb)
No te preocupes más. Yo me encargaré de todo.Don't worry any more. I'll take care of everything.
¿Quieres más?Would you like some more?
d. more (after a noun)
Necesito dos huevos más para la receta.I need two more eggs for the recipe.
Solo me voy a comer un chocolate más.I'm only going to eat one more chocolate.
a. most (with adjective)
Quiero el teléfono más caro de la tienda.I want the most expensive telephone in the shop.
b. most (with verb)
Es la que más trabaja de la empresa.She is the one who works the most at the company.
3. (intensity)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Qué chico más listo!¡What a clever guy!
¿Conoces a Pablo? ¡Es más guapo!Do you know Pablo? He's so good looking!
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
4. (addition)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
