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"Menor" is an adjective which is often translated as "younger", and "hermano mayor" is a phrase which is often translated as "older brother". Learn more about the difference between "menor" and "hermano mayor" below.
menor, el menor, la menor(
meh
-
nohr
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. younger (in age)
Ella es menor que yo.She is younger than I am.
b. smaller (in size)
Tengo que comprar una talla menor de pantalón.I need to buy these pants in a smaller size.
c. under (a certain age)
Los niños menores de 12 años no pagan.Children under 12 don't pay.
d. lower (in number, value)
Di un número menor de 15.Say a number lower than 15.
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.
a. smallest (in size)
Dame el menor tomate que tengas, por favor.Give me the smallest tomato you have, please.
b. youngest (in age)
¿Cómo se llama tu hijo menor?What's the name of your youngest son?
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.
a. slightest
No te preocupes; no tiene la menor importancia.Don't worry; it doesn't have the slightest importance.
a. minor
La exposición incluye obras menores de Picasso.The exhibition contains minor works by Picasso.
a. minor
Mi pieza favorita de Mozart es la Gran Misa en do menor.My favorite of Mozart's works is the Great Mass in C minor.
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).
masculine or feminine noun
a. minor
Los menores no pueden comprar alcohol.Minors are not allowed to buy alcohol.
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hermano mayor(
ehr
-
mah
-
noh
 
mah
-
yohr
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. older brother
¿Quién es ese chico alto de la foto? - Es el hermano mayor de Olga.Who is that tall boy in the photo? - He's Olga's older brother.
b. elder brother
Eva se lleva tres años con su hermano mayor.There are three years between Eva and her elder brother.
c. big brother
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Mi hermano mayor acaba de independizarse.My big brother has just left home.
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