This lesson explains comparativi like maggiore, minore, migliore, and peggiore used to compare quantity and quality. Learn with examples such as "Il prezzo è maggiore" and "Il servizio è migliore."
  1. "Maggiore" and "minore" compare an amount.
  2. "Migliore" and "peggiore" compare quality.
  3. The comparative always agrees in gender and number with the noun.
PositivoComparativo (Comparative)Esempio (Example)
PiùMaggioreLe camere doppie hanno un prezzo maggiore rispetto alle singole. (Double rooms have a higher price compared to singles.)
MenoMinoreLe camere hanno un prezzo minore qui. (The rooms have a lower price here.)
BeneMiglioreIl servizio dell'hotel è migliore di prima. (The hotel's service is better than before.)
MalePeggioreQuesta colazione è peggiore di quella di ieri. (This breakfast is worse than yesterday's.)

Exercise 1: I comparativi: maggiore, minore, migliore, peggiore

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

maggiore, minori, peggiore, maggiori, minore, migliore, peggiori

1. Bene:
La cancellazione gratuita è una condizione ... per i clienti.
(Free cancellation is a better condition for customers.)
2. Più:
Le camere doppie hanno un prezzo ... rispetto alle singole.
(Double rooms have a higher price compared to single rooms.)
3. Meno:
Le camere doppie hanno prezzi ... in mezza pensione.
(Double rooms have lower prices with half board.)
4. Più:
L'alloggio in pensione completa ha costi ....
(Full board accommodation has higher costs.)
5. Male:
Il campeggio offre condizioni ... in caso di maltempo.
(The campsite offers worse conditions in case of bad weather.)
6. Meno:
Le camere hanno un prezzo ... qui.
(The rooms have a lower price here.)
7. Male:
Il servizio in hotel è spesso ... che al bed and breakfast.
(The service in hotels is often worse than at bed and breakfast.)
8. Più:
La disponibilità è ... durante l'estate.
(Availability is greater during the summer.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that correctly uses the comparatives greater, lesser, better, or worse in the context of booking accommodation.

1.
"Better" compares quality, whereas here a quantity (the price) must be compared.
If the price is higher, "greater" is used, not "lesser."
2.
"Greater" is used for quantity, not for quality like service.
"Lesser" indicates quantity, so it is not correct for the quality of service.
3.
"Better" is for quality, whereas here it is about quantity (price).
"Worse" indicates quality, not quantity, so it is not correct for price.
4.
"Greater" compares quantity, whereas here it is about the quality of the breakfast.
"Lesser" indicates quantity, whereas here the quality of the breakfast is compared.

Comparatives in Italian: maggiore, minore, migliore, peggiore

In this lesson, you will learn how to express comparisons in Italian using specific adjectives called comparatives. Comparatives are used to highlight differences in quantity or quality between two things.

Types of Comparatives

  • Maggiore – used to compare quantities that are greater.
  • Minore – used to compare smaller quantities.
  • Migliore – used to compare better quality.
  • Peggiore – used to compare worse quality.

Examples

Positive FormComparativeExample
PiùMaggioreLe camere doppie hanno un prezzo maggiore rispetto alle singole.
MenoMinoreLe camere hanno un prezzo minore qui.
BeneMiglioreIl servizio dell'hotel è migliore di prima.
MalePeggioreQuesta colazione è peggiore di quella di ieri.

How the Comparatives Work

The comparatives maggiore and minore deal with quantities such as price or amount. For example, maggiore implies "greater" or "higher" in measurable aspects.

Migliore and peggiore refer to quality comparisons, such as service or taste.

Also, the comparative adjective always agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes.

Important Notes for English Speakers

Unlike English, where "better" and "worse" are irregular comparatives of "good" and "bad," Italian uses migliore and peggiore in a similar manner but also uses maggiore and minore for quantity comparisons instead of just adding "more" or "less".

Useful words and phrases:

  • maggiore: greater, larger (quantity)
  • minore: smaller, lesser (quantity)
  • migliore: better (quality)
  • peggiore: worse (quality)

Summary

This lesson equips you with the key comparatives to make your Italian descriptions clearer and more precise when talking about quantity or quality differences. Understanding these will help you form natural and correct sentences like those related to hotel bookings or product comparisons.

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

Profile Picture

Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

University_Logo

Last Updated:

Monday, 01/09/2025 21:54