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"Menor" is an adjective which is often translated as "younger", and "de mayor" is a phrase which is often translated as "of greater". Learn more about the difference between "menor" and "de mayor" below.
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).
de mayor(
deh
mah
-
yohr
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Yo de mayor quiero ser famoso.I want to be a celebrity when I grow up.
¿Qué quieres ser de mayor? - Quiero ser bombero.What do you want to be when you grow up? - I want to be a firefighter.
a. of greater
Este puesto es de mayor responsabilidad que el que ocupa ahora.This is a position of greater responsibility than the one you hold now.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
En mi opinión, estos son los temas de mayor interés de los tratados en el congreso.In my opinion, these are the most interesting topics among those addressed at the conference.
Necesitamos un tablón de mayor tamaño.We need a bigger plank.
