1. Los Comparativos (Comparatives)
Unidad 3-Lección 2
Los Comparativos
(Comparatives)

2. There are several phrases in Spanish used to make comparisons.
(Read the following sentences, paying attention to the words in color and underlined letters.)
Álvaro es más atlético que Luis.
Álvaro is more athletic than Luis.
Álvaro
Luis
Mónica es menos divertida que Carolina.
Mónica is less fun than Carolina.
Los chicos son tan serios como la maestra.
The boys are as serious as the teacher.
EXPLANATION: Sometimes, we use an adjective to compare two things. The adjective agrees with the noun that comes before it.

3. EXPLANATION: Comparisons do not always include an adjective.
Now read these sentences, paying attention to the words in color.
Me gusta ir a la cafetería más que al gimnasio.
I like to go to the cafeteria more than to the gym.
Me gustan las bananas menos que las uvas.
I like bananas less than grapes.
Me gusta caminar tanto como correr.
I like to walk as much as run.
EXPLANATION: Comparisons do not always include an adjective.

4. So…in summary:
más + (adj.) + que =
more (adj.) than
menos + (adj.) + que =
less (adj.) than
tan + (adj.) + como =
as (adj.) as
tanto + como =
as much as

5. Now read these sentences, paying attention to the orange words.
Mi tía es mayor que mi tío. (My aunt is older than my uncle.)
Mi madre es menor que mi padre. (My mother is younger than my father.)
Mis abuelos son mayores que mis padres. ( My grandparents are older than my parents.)
EXPLANATION: There are a few irregular comparative words. Study the chart below and use it as a quick reference.
Singular
Plural
older
mayor
mayores
younger
menor
menores
better
mejor
mejores
worse
peor
peores

6. Practicamos un poco:
I am taller (more tall) than Ana.
We (f.) are funnier (more funny) than the boys.
His sister is as studious as his brother.
Their cousins (m.) are less disorganized than their friends (m.).
You (fam.) are as hardworking as I.
6. Dogs are better than cats.

7. Practicamos un poco:
1. Yo soy más alto/a que Ana.
2. Nosotras somos más cómicas que los chicos.
3. Su hermana es tan estudiosa como su hermano.
4. Sus primos son menos desorganizados que sus amigos.
5. Tú eres tan trabajador/a como yo.
6. Los perros son mejores que los gatos.