Learning a new language can be both an exciting and challenging endeavor. One of the key aspects of mastering a language is understanding how to compare things, people, and ideas. In Portuguese, comparatives are commonly formed using the words “mais” (more) and “menos” (less). This article will delve deep into the use of “mais” and “menos,” providing you with the tools to make accurate and meaningful comparisons in Portuguese.
Understanding Comparatives
Comparatives are used to show differences between two or more entities. In English, we often add “-er” to adjectives (e.g., “bigger,” “smaller”) or use “more” and “less” (e.g., “more interesting,” “less complicated”). Similarly, in Portuguese, comparatives are often formed using “mais” and “menos.”
Using “Mais” for Comparisons
In Portuguese, “mais” means “more” and is used to compare two entities, indicating that one has a greater degree of a certain quality than the other. Here are some examples:
– Ela é mais alta do que o irmão. (She is taller than her brother.)
– Este livro é mais interessante do que aquele. (This book is more interesting than that one.)
– João trabalha mais rápido que Maria. (João works faster than Maria.)
When using “mais” in a sentence, the structure is typically:
**Mais + adjective/adverb + do que**
It’s important to note that “do que” can sometimes be simplified to “que” in spoken Portuguese, especially in informal contexts:
– Ela é mais alta que o irmão.
– Este livro é mais interessante que aquele.
Using “Menos” for Comparisons
“Menos” means “less” and is used to indicate that one entity has a lesser degree of a certain quality compared to another. Here are some examples:
– Ele é menos alto do que o pai. (He is less tall than his father.)
– Este problema é menos complicado do que o anterior. (This problem is less complicated than the previous one.)
– Maria trabalha menos rápido que João. (Maria works less fast than João.)
The structure for “menos” is similar to that of “mais”:
**Menos + adjective/adverb + do que**
Again, “do que” can be simplified to “que” in more casual conversations:
– Ele é menos alto que o pai.
– Este problema é menos complicado que o anterior.
Comparing Quantities with “Mais” and “Menos”
In addition to comparing qualities, “mais” and “menos” can also be used to compare quantities. Here are some examples:
– Ela tem mais livros do que eu. (She has more books than I do.)
– Ele tem menos dinheiro do que o irmão. (He has less money than his brother.)
In these cases, the structure is:
**Mais/Menos + noun + do que**
Once again, “do que” can be simplified to “que”:
– Ela tem mais livros que eu.
– Ele tem menos dinheiro que o irmão.
Comparing Actions with “Mais” and “Menos”
“Mais” and “menos” can also be used to compare actions, indicating that one action is performed to a greater or lesser extent than another:
– Ela estuda mais do que o irmão. (She studies more than her brother.)
– Ele dorme menos do que deveria. (He sleeps less than he should.)
In these cases, the structure is:
**Verb + mais/menos + do que**
And as always, “do que” can be simplified to “que”:
– Ela estuda mais que o irmão.
– Ele dorme menos que deveria.
Special Cases and Irregular Comparatives
While “mais” and “menos” cover the vast majority of comparative situations in Portuguese, there are a few irregular comparatives that don’t follow the standard patterns. These are worth noting as they are commonly used in everyday conversation.
Irregular Adjectives
Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms. Here are a few of the most common ones:
– Bom (good) -> Melhor (better)
– Este vinho é melhor do que aquele. (This wine is better than that one.)
– Mau (bad) -> Pior (worse)
– Este filme é pior do que o outro. (This movie is worse than the other one.)
– Grande (big) -> Maior (bigger)
– A cidade de São Paulo é maior do que a cidade de Porto Alegre. (The city of São Paulo is bigger than the city of Porto Alegre.)
– Pequeno (small) -> Menor (smaller)
– Este quarto é menor do que o outro. (This room is smaller than the other one.)
Special Comparative Expressions
Portuguese also has some special comparative expressions that don’t follow the standard “mais/menos + adjective + do que” structure. Here are a couple of examples:
– Tanto quanto (as much as)
– Ela estuda tanto quanto o irmão. (She studies as much as her brother.)
– Tão quanto (as [adjective] as)
– Ela é tão inteligente quanto o irmão. (She is as intelligent as her brother.)
These expressions are used to indicate equality rather than superiority or inferiority.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
As with any language learning, there are common mistakes that learners might make when using comparatives in Portuguese. Here are a few to watch out for:
Forgetting the “Do Que” Structure
One common mistake is forgetting to use “do que” (or “que”) after the adjective or adverb. This can make the sentence sound incomplete or awkward. For example:
– Incorrect: Ela é mais alta.
– Correct: Ela é mais alta do que o irmão.
Using “Mais” or “Menos” with Irregular Comparatives
Another common mistake is using “mais” or “menos” with adjectives that have irregular comparative forms. For example:
– Incorrect: Este vinho é mais bom do que aquele.
– Correct: Este vinho é melhor do que aquele.
Confusing “Mais” and “Menos”
Sometimes, learners might confuse “mais” and “menos,” especially if they are translating directly from English. Remember that “mais” means “more” and “menos” means “less.” For example:
– Incorrect: Ele tem menos dinheiro do que eu. (when you mean he has more money)
– Correct: Ele tem mais dinheiro do que eu.
Practice Makes Perfect
To truly master the use of “mais” and “menos” in Portuguese, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you get started:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with “mais” or “menos” and the appropriate form of the adjective or adverb in parentheses.
1. Ela é ______ (tall) do que a irmã.
2. Este livro é ______ (interesting) do que aquele.
3. Ele trabalha ______ (fast) do que o colega.
4. Maria tem ______ (money) do que João.
5. Este problema é ______ (complicated) do que o anterior.
Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences
Translate the following sentences into Portuguese.
1. She is taller than her brother.
2. This book is more interesting than that one.
3. João works faster than Maria.
4. He has less money than his brother.
5. This problem is less complicated than the previous one.
Exercise 3: Identify the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1. Ela é mais alta do.
2. Este vinho é mais bom do que aquele.
3. Ele tem menos dinheiro do que eu (when you mean he has more money).
4. Ela estuda menos que o irmão (when you mean she studies more).
5. Este problema é mais complicado do aquele.
Conclusion
Understanding and correctly using comparatives with “mais” and “menos” in Portuguese is a crucial step in becoming proficient in the language. By mastering these structures, you can more accurately describe and compare the world around you. Remember to pay attention to the structure of your sentences, watch out for irregular forms, and practice regularly to reinforce your learning. Happy studying!
