vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Mayor" is an adjective which is often translated as "bigger", and "menor" is an adjective which is often translated as "younger". Learn more about the difference between "mayor" and "menor" 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.
menor, el menor, la menor(
meh
-
nohr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
e. lesser (in quantity, importance)
La contaminación afecta a las urbes y, en menor medida, también a las zonas rurales.Pollution affects cities and, to a lesser extent, rural areas too.
c. lowest (in number, value)
De todas estas, ¿cuál es la cifra menor?Of all these, which is the lowest figure?
d. least (in quantity, importance)
Iba con retraso, pero ese era el menor de mis problemas.I was running late, but that was the least of my problems.
3. (minimal)
a. slightest
No te preocupes; no tiene la menor importancia.Don't worry; it doesn't have the slightest importance.
4. (secondary)
a. minor
La exposición incluye obras menores de Picasso.The exhibition contains minor works by Picasso.
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).
