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"Menos" is an adjective which is often translated as "less", and "mayor" is an adjective which is often translated as "bigger". Learn more about the difference between "menos" and "mayor" below.
menos(
meh
-
nohs
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. less (with uncountable nouns)
Tengo menos tiempo libre hoy que ayer.I have less free time today than yesterday.
b. fewer (with countable nouns)
El profesor tiene menos alumnos en sus clases este semestre.The teacher has fewer students in his classes this semester.
a. the least (with uncountable nouns)
La persona que menos agua gaste ganará.The person who wastes the least amount of water will win.
b. the fewest (with countable nouns)
La ardilla con menos bellotas tiene que ponerse a trabajar.The squirrel with the fewest acorns needs to get busy.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. least
El menos grasoso de todos esos platos es la ensalada.The least greasy of all those dishes is the salad.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
6. (excluding)
a. except
Todos confirmaron su asistencia menos Alberto.Everyone except Alberto has confirmed their attendance.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. minus sign
Te faltó escribir el menos en tu ecuación.You forgot to write the minus sign in your equation.
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.
