Comparative and superlative in Spanish

Comparative and superlative adjectives (adjetivos comparativos and superlativos) express the quality degree of the noun they modify. 

As usual, these adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.

Comparatives 

Comparative forms may serve as: 

1. majority comparative (more...than)
2. minority comparative (les...than)
3. equality comparative (as...as)

Have a question?

Take online language lessons with a professional teacher

1. Native & verified teachers
2. Free trial lesson
3. Learning materials included

Spanish conversation and speaking classes

Spanish online teachers and tutors (on Skype!)

Spanish for beginners (A1, A2,...)

Learn Spanish with online Skype lessons

Spanish private lessons and tutoring

Find a teacher

1. Majority comparative (more...than)

To express comparison of inequality with "more", here is the sentence structure:

MÁS + adjective + QUE < more + adjective + than

Example: 

La comida española es más rica que la comida alemana. (Spanish food is more delicious than German food.)

2. Minority comparative (less...than)

To express comparison of inequality with "less", here is the sentence structure:

MENOS + adjective + QUE < more + adjective + than

Example:

Rafael es menos celoso que su ex novio. (Rafael is less jealous than her ex boyfriend.)

3. Equality comparative (as...as)

To express comparison of equality, here is the sentence structure: 

TAN + adjective + COMO < as + adjective + as 

Example: 

Este portátil es tan caro como lo de Lucía. (This laptop is as expensive as the one of Lucía.)

Superlatives

Superlatives express the quality of the noun they modify to its maximum degree. 

Here are some common superlative structures: 

1.  más + adjective + de / menos + adjective + de = the most / least + adjective + of 
2. muy + adjective / adjective + -ísimo = very + adjective

1. The most and the least

This type of structure expresses the maximum degree in comparison to others. 

2. Absolute superlative

This type of structure expresses the absolute superlative, which indicates the maximum adjective degree without comparing it to others. 

In the second case, you need to add the superlative ending according to the gender and number of the noun they modify.

Examples: 

• Las mariposas son bellísimas. (Butterflies are very beautiful.)
• Javier es altísimo. (Javier is very tall.)

Spelling changes may occur when dropping certain adjective endings to add the superlative -ísimo. 

Irregular comparatives and superlatives 

Examples: 

• Comparative: Tu habitación es mejor que la mía. (Your room is better than mine.)
• Superlative: Hoy es el mejor día de la semana. (Today is the best day of the week.)

To create the feminine and plural forms of the abovementioned nouns, have a look at the Gender and number of Spanish adjectives subpage!