Unidad 3-Lección 2

Los Comparativos

(Comparatives)

There are several phrases in Spanish used to make comparisons. (Read the following sentences, paying attention to the words in color and underlined letters.)

EXPLANATION: Sometimes, we use an adjective to compare two things. The adjective agrees with the noun that comes before it.

Los chicos son tan serios como la maestra.The boys are as serious as the teacher.

Mónica es menos divertida que Carolina. Mónica is less fun than Carolina.

Álvaro es más atlético que Luis. Álvaro is more athletic than Luis.

LuisÁlvaro

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.

más + (adj.) + que

menos + (adj.) + que

tan + (adj.) + como

= more (adj.) than

= less (adj.) than

= as (adj.) as

So…in summary:

tanto + como = as much as

Now read these sentences, paying attention to the orange words.

Singular Plural

older mayor mayores

younger menor menores

better mejor mejores

worse peor peores

EXPLANATION: There are a few irregular comparative words. Study the chart below and use it as a quick reference.

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.)

Practicamos un poco:

1. I am taller (more tall) than Ana.

2.We (f.) are funnier (more funny) than the boys.

3.His sister is as studious as his brother.

4.Their cousins (m.) are less disorganized than their friends (m.).

5.You (fam.) are as hardworking as I.

6. Dogs are better than cats.

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.