es mejor
/es mexoɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'is better' is said as es mejor.
Es mejor is used to indicate that one person or thing is of a higher quality or more desirable than another. It can also function as an impersonal expression meaning 'it is better to [do something]'. In such cases, it is often followed by the subjunctive, such as in Es mejor que vayas (It is better that you go).
Which one should you use?
Use es mejor to compare quality or desirability. You should generally avoid using es más bueno when you want to express that something is 'better' in a comparative sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase Va mejor is commonly used to mean 'is better'.
How do you pronounce it?
/es mexoɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word mejor descends from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'strong' or 'big'.
- While es mejor is used for quality, saying es más bueno often shifts the meaning to describe someone who is 'kinder' or 'more virtuous'.
- In some contexts, mejor can be used as a standalone response to a suggestion, acting as a way to say 'that would be preferable' without using a verb.
Examples in context
- Su voz es mejor.Her voice is better.This example shows how to use es mejor to describe a quality of a voice.Tatoeba #4610770 by DarkHollow, translation #4609657 by LeeSooHa
- El rojo es mejor.Red is better.This example demonstrates using es mejor to compare colors.Tatoeba #1416564 by marcelostockle, translation #1416534 by CK
- El tuyo es mejor.Yours is better.This example uses es mejor to indicate that something belonging to someone else is better.Tatoeba #8031701 by Seael, translation #3826227 by CK
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- María¿Quieres ir al restaurante nuevo?Do you want to go to the new restaurant?
- DanielNo, el italiano es mejor.No, the Italian one is better.
- MaríaTienes razón, su comida es excelente.You are right, their food is excellent.
- DanielEntonces, vamos allá.Then, let's go there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, mejor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
