vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Menos" is an adjective which is often translated as "less", and "ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "menos" and "ser" 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.
ser(
sehr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
