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This lesson covers the Spanish comparative adjectives, focusing on structures like "más + adjetivo + que" (more + adjective + than), "tan + adjetivo + como" (as + adjective + as), and "menos + adjetivo + que" (less + adjective + than). Key vocabulary includes amargo (bitter), duro (hard), and ácido (acidic) to express comparisons of superiority, equality, and inferiority.
 Adjetivo comparativo (Comparative adjective)Ejemplo (Example)
Expresar superioridad (Expressing superiority)Más + adjetivo + queEste café es más amargo que el té. (This coffee is more bitter than the tea.)
Este examen fue más duro que el anterior. (This exam was harder than the previous one.)
Expresar iguladad (Express equality)Tan + adjetivo + comoEste pan es tan duro como una piedra. (This bread is as hard as a stone.)
Está tan silencioso como en una biblioteca. (It is as quiet as in a library.)
Expresar inferioridad (Express inferiority)Menos + adjetivo + queEl olor de este queso es menos fétido que el del pescado. (The smell of this cheese is less foul than that of the fish.)
Esta naranja es menos ácida que el limón. (This orange is less acidic than the lemon.)

Exercise 1: Los adjetivos comparativos: "Más + adjetivo + que," ...

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

más, tan, menos

1.
El plátano es ... duro que la manzana.
(The banana is less hard than the apple.)
2.
En verano, la casa es ... fresca que en invierno.
(In summer, the house is cooler than in winter.)
3.
La noche es ... ruidosa que el día.
(The night is less noisy than the day.)
4.
El café sin azúcar es ... amargo que el café con azúcar.
(Coffee without sugar is more bitter than coffee with sugar.)
5.
El azúcar es ... dulce como la fruta.
(Sugar is as sweet as fruit.)
6.
La noche es ... oscura que el día.
(The night is darker than the day.)
7.
El queso es ... salado que las frutas.
(Cheese is saltier than fruit.)
8.
La biblioteca es ... silenciosa como la noche.
(The library is as quiet as the night.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Este café es _____ amargo que el té.

(This coffee is _____ more bitter than the tea.)

2. La naranja es _____ ácida que el limón.

(The orange is _____ less acidic than the lemon.)

3. Este queso _____ peor que el otro.

(This cheese _____ smells worse than the other.)

4. El ruido aquí es _____ fuerte que en la calle.

(The noise here is _____ less loud than on the street.)

5. La voz de María es _____ clara que la de Juan.

(María's voice is _____ clearer than Juan's.)

6. Este pan es _____ duro como una piedra.

(This bread is _____ as hard as a rock.)

Understanding Comparative Adjectives in Spanish

This lesson focuses on how to compare qualities between two or more elements using comparative adjectives in Spanish. Comparatives allow you to express differences or similarities in characteristics such as size, intensity, quality, and more. At the A1 level, this foundational grammar helps learners start making meaningful comparisons in everyday conversations.

Forms of Comparative Adjectives

  • Expressing Superiority: Use Más + adjective + que to say something is "more" than something else. For example, Este café es más amargo que el té. means "This coffee is more bitter than the tea."
  • Expressing Equality: Use Tan + adjective + como to express equality, meaning "as... as." For example, Este pan es tan duro como una piedra. means "This bread is as hard as a rock."
  • Expressing Inferiority: Use Menos + adjective + que to say something is "less" than something else. For example, Esta naranja es menos ácida que el limón. means "This orange is less acidic than the lemon."

Key Adjectives in Comparisons

Common adjectives you will encounter include:

  • Amargo (bitter)
  • Duro (hard)
  • Fétido (foul-smelling)
  • Ácido (acidic)
  • Silencioso (quiet)

Examples You Will Study

  • Este café es más amargo que el té.
  • Está tan silencioso como en una biblioteca.
  • El olor de este queso es menos fétido que el del pescado.

Important Notes on Comparing in Spanish Versus English

In English, comparatives often add “-er” to short adjectives or use "more" for longer ones (e.g., "bitter" becomes "bitterer" but usually "more bitter"). Spanish uses a straightforward formula with más (more), menos (less), and tan (as) followed directly by the adjective, regardless of its length.

Another difference is the placement of the comparative phrase. In Spanish, you place the comparative words before the adjective and then add que or como afterward. For example, más amargo que corresponds to "more bitter than."

Useful phrases to remember include:

  • más + adjective + que — more ... than
  • menos + adjective + que — less ... than
  • tan + adjective + como — as ... as

These structures are essential for describing and evaluating objects, experiences, and preferences, which are common conversational needs for beginners.

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