Irregular Comparatives: mejor, peor, mayor, menor

In standard Spanish, you usually put más (more) before an adjective. For example, más alto (taller). However, for a few specific adjectives, the language provides a dedicated word. Think of it like a grammar upgrade. You take a basic concept like "good" and transform it into its comparative form "better" instantly.

• bueno (good) becomes mejor (better)
• malo (bad) becomes peor (worse)
• grande (big/old) becomes mayor (older/greater)
• pequeño (small/young) becomes menor (younger/lesser)

Crucially, these words don't care about gender. Whether you are comparing el coche (masculine) or la casa (feminine), mejor stays mejor. They only change for number. If you are comparing plural things, you just add an -es. Easy, right? It is like a one-size-fits-all outfit that actually looks good on everyone.

1. 1Using these words is a simple three-step process:
2. 2Identify the Subject: Know what you are comparing. Is it a single item or a group?
3. 3Pick Your Irregular: Choose the word that fits your meaning (Quality or Age).
4. 4Add the Connector: Use que (than) to link to the second item.
5. 5Structure: [Item A] + [Verb] + [Irregular Comparative] + que + [Item B].
6. 6Example: Este café es mejor que el de ayer. (This coffee is better than yesterday's).
7. 7If you are talking about multiple things, remember the plural:
8. 8Example: Tus ideas son mejores que las mías. (Your ideas are better than mine).
9. 9Notice how mejor became mejores? That is the only change you ever need to worry about.

Use mejor and peor when you are talking about quality or skill. If you are at a restaurant and the tacos are incredible, they are mejores than the ones down the street. If you are debating which movie is more boring, one is definitely peor than the other.

Use mayor and menor primarily for age. In a family setting, this is non-negotiable. Your "big brother" is your hermano mayor. Your "little sister" is your hermana menor. It feels more respectful and precise than using "big" or "small."

You also use mayor and menor for abstract importance or quantities. In a business meeting, you might discuss a mayor impacto (greater impact) or a menor riesgo (smaller risk). It adds a layer of professional polish to your speech that más grande just can't match.

This is where it gets interesting. Do not use mayor to describe the physical size of an object like a sandwich or a suitcase. If your suitcase is physically larger, use más grande. If you say your suitcase is mayor, a Spanish speaker might think your suitcase has a retirement plan and a mortgage.

Similarly, avoid using mejor when you are talking about how tasty food is in a literal sense (use más rico). Mejor implies overall quality or superiority.

One big "no-no" is the "Double Comparative." In English, we don't say "more better." In Spanish, never say más mejor or más peor. It sounds like a grammar car crash. Stick to the irregular word alone. It is already doing all the heavy lifting for you.

1. 1The "Más" Trap: Adding más before mejor. Example: ✗ Este es más mejor. ✓ Este es mejor.
2. 2Gender Confusion: Trying to make them feminine. Example: ✗ La mejor-a pizza. ✓ La mejor pizza.
3. 3Size vs. Age: Using mayor for a big house. Unless the house is literally ancient, use más grande.
4. 4Forgetting Plurals: Comparing two groups but using the singular form. Example: ✗ Ellos son mejor. ✓ Ellos son mejores.

Think of these mistakes like wearing socks with sandals. People will understand you, but they'll know something is slightly off. Avoid the más and you're already ahead of 50% of learners.

Compare these irregulars to the regular pattern (más + adjective).

• Regular: Mi perro es más inteligente que el tuyo. (My dog is more intelligent than yours).
• Irregular: Mi perro es mejor que el tuyo. (My dog is better than yours).

The regular pattern is like building a Lego set. The irregular pattern is like having a pre-molded piece. They both get the job done, but the irregular ones are specifically reserved for the most common concepts in human life: good, bad, old, and young.

Another contrast is with tan... como (as... as). If things are equal, you don't use these irregulars.

Example: Este libro es tan bueno como el otro. (This book is as good as the other).

Only reach for mejor when one book clearly wins the Pulitzer and the other is a coaster.