Comparatives: Menos... que (Less... than)

This structure works like a sandwich. You have your first item, then the word menos, then the quality you are comparing, then que, and finally the second item. The cool thing is that the middle of the sandwich can change. You can put adjectives, nouns, or adverbs in there. The word menos stays the same. The word que stays the same. Unlike some other Spanish rules, menos does not care if the subject is a boy, a girl, or a group of people. It is a steady anchor in your sentence. You just need to make sure the adjective in the middle matches the first thing you are talking about. If you are comparing two cars (feminine in Spanish: las máquinas), the adjective needs to be feminine. It is like matching your socks before you leave the house. Simple, right?

1. 1Building a comparison with menos follows a very strict recipe. Follow these steps and you will not get lost:
2. 2Start with the Subject: This is the thing you are describing first. (e.g., Este café).
3. 3Add the Verb: Usually the verb ser (to be). (e.g., es).
4. 4Add menos: This sets the "less than" direction. (e.g., menos).
5. 5Insert the Quality: This can be an adjective, noun, or adverb. (e.g., caro).
6. 6Add que: This is your "than." (e.g., que).
7. 7End with the Comparison: The second thing you are talking about. (e.g., el otro).
8. 8Full sentence: Este café es menos caro que el otro. (This coffee is less expensive than the other one). If you are using a verb alone, the pattern changes slightly: [Verb] + menos que. For example: Yo como menos que tú. (I eat less than you).

You will use menos... que in almost every daily scenario. Imagine you are at a clothing store in Madrid. You see two jackets. One is 50 euros and the other is 100. You might say, Esta chaqueta es menos cara que esa. It is perfect for making decisions. Or maybe you are at a job interview. You want to say your previous commute was less stressful. Mi trabajo anterior era menos estresante que este. It is also great for personal descriptions. If your friend is a marathon runner and you... well, you prefer the couch, you could say: Soy menos activo que mi amigo.

• Use it with Adjectives: Ella es menos alta que su hermana.
• Use it with Nouns: Tengo menos dinero que ayer.
• Use it with Adverbs: Él corre menos rápido que yo.
• Use it with Verbs: Trabajamos menos que ellos.

There is one big trap you need to avoid: numbers. In English, we say "less than five." In Spanish, if a number is involved, que disappears and de takes its place. This is a classic mistake. If you say menos que cinco, a native speaker will understand you, but their brain will itch. You must say menos de cinco. Think of numbers as being very exclusive—they prefer their own preposition. Also, avoid using menos with the "special" comparatives. For example, don't say menos bueno. Spanish has a dedicated word for that: peor (worse). Similarly, instead of menos joven, you might just say mayor (older), though menos joven isn't strictly "wrong," it just sounds a bit clunky. Like wearing a tuxedo to the beach—technically possible, but why would you?

The "Que" vs "Como" Confusion: Learners often mix up menos... que with tan... como (as... as). You might accidentally say menos caro como. Just remember: menos always pairs with que. They are a package deal.

Number Errors: As mentioned before, saying Tengo menos que tres dólares is a no-go. Use de for numbers.

Adjective Agreement: This is the one that gets everyone. You are so focused on the comparison that you forget the adjective must match the first noun. If you say La sopa es menos rico que el pan, you missed the mark. La sopa is feminine, so it must be rica.

Adding "More": Sometimes learners try to combine words. Never say más menos. It sounds like a math equation gone wrong. Pick a lane!

To really understand menos... que, you have to see its neighbors.

• Más... que (More... than): This is the exact opposite. El sol es más grande que la luna.
• Tan... como (As... as): Use this when things are equal. Este libro es tan bueno como la película.
• Menos de (Less than + Number): The number-specific version. Tengo menos de veinte años.

Think of these as your "comparison toolkit." Más is for the highs, menos is for the lows, and tan is for the middle ground. Most A2 students spend all their time on más, so using menos correctly actually makes you look much more advanced. It shows you can handle the nuances of the language.