Comparatives and Superlatives

When we compare two qualities (adjectives or adverbs) that are equal, we say as... as... , e.g.,
as big as a house.

Spanish uses the construction tan... como... :

  • tan grande como una casa -- as big as a house


When we compare two things or actions (nouns or verbs) that are equal, we say as... as... , e.g., You have as many friends as I. Spanish uses the construction tanto... como... :

  • Tú tienes tantos amigos como yo -- You have as many friends as I.

Note that tanto is an adjective, so the ending will change according to the gender and number of the word being described (amigos in the example above).


When we compare two things that are not equal, we say more... than...  or less... than... . Spanish uses the constructions más...que... or menos...que...:

Más grande que una casaMore big = bigger than a house
Más pequeña que una casaMore small = smaller than a house
Menos serio que mi hermano      Less serious than my brother


To express the superlative the most...  or the least... use the definite article + más/menos + adjective:

Esta casa es la más grande    This house is the biggest
Ese perro es el más pequeño      That dog is the smallest


There are a few irregular forms that must be memorised:

  • mayor -- older
    menor -- younger
    mejor -- better
    peor -- worse
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