Use Mejor, Peor, Mayor and Menor
Mejor, peor, mayor, and menor already contain a comparative meaning. Select the form that matches quality, age, or size and resist adding an unnecessary más.
Learning objective
Use four frequent irregular comparatives without redundant comparative markers.
Mejor and peor already mean better and worse, so they do not take an extra más: Este horario es mejor para mí. They normally stay unchanged for gender, but become plural when they describe plural nouns: mejores opciones and peores conexiones. The relevant criterion should remain clear from context.
Mayor and menor are irregular comparatives for age and, in suitable contexts, size or importance. Mayor can mean older or larger, while menor can mean younger or smaller. Both already carry comparison, so use them without an extra más; for ordinary physical dimensions, más grande or más pequeño is often more natural.
Age comparisons do not use más viejo as a neutral replacement in every situation. Mayor and menor are generally useful for people, while viejo can sound like a direct description of being old and may carry an unintended judgement. Ask or state age only when it is relevant to the exchange.
A useful judgement states whose needs matter. El tren temprano es mejor para nosotros porque llegamos antes explains a practical fit, whereas El tren temprano es mejor sounds absolute. Combine the irregular form with para plus a person, or a short porque reason, to show the basis of your conclusion.
Examples
Esta conexión es mejor para viajeros con poco tiempo.
This connection is better for travellers who are short on time.
The sentence identifies the people who benefit.
Los asientos del fondo son peores para ver la pantalla.
The back seats are worse for seeing the screen.
Peores is plural because it describes asientos.
Leo es dos años mayor que su prima.
Leo is two years older than his cousin.
Mayor expresses an age difference without labelling either person old.
El círculo menor tiene diez centímetros de diámetro.
The smaller circle has a diameter of ten centimetres.
Menor compares size in this measured, relatively formal context.
Common mistake
- Instead of
- La segunda opción es más mejor para nosotros.
- Try
- La segunda opción es mejor para nosotros.
Mejor already contains the comparative meaning, so más is redundant. Para nosotros makes the judgement personal rather than claiming that the option suits everyone.
Practice
Try it yourself
Write a short advice note for two siblings choosing courses. One course has a better timetable, another has worse transport, and one sibling is older while the other is younger. Use mejor, peor, mayor, and menor correctly, then recommend a course for each person.