más o menos
/ˌmas o ˈmenos/
The English suffix "ish" can be expressed in Spanish as más o menos.
The phrase is used to express the concept of "about" or "approximately". It is also used to convey the meaning of "more or less". In Spanish, más o menos serves a similar purpose in informal contexts.
Meaning: about, approximately (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "more or less".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌmas o ˈmenos/
Did you know?
- If you are talking about a person's ability, calling them más o menos can be a subtle, slightly insulting way to say they are mediocre or 'just okay'.
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, using más o menos can be a polite way to avoid saying 'no' or to express hesitation without being blunt.
- The word más shares an ancient root with the English word 'master', stemming from the Latin 'magister'.
Examples in context
- Llegaré aproximadamente a las cincoI'll arrive around five
- Más o menos 30Around 30
- Más o menos bienKind of well
- Por la tarde, más o menos sobre las 5In the afternoon, around 5ish
- Aproximadamente a las 5 de la tardeApproximately at 5 p.m.
- Meh, más o menos unos 30Meh, around 30ish
- Tengo veinte años, más o menos.I am twenty years old, more or less.
- Cuesta más o menos veinte euros.It costs about twenty euros.
- Llegaremos en más o menos una hora.We will arrive in about an hour.
- Es más o menos lo mismo.It is more or less the same.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a meeting time.
- Mateo¿A qué hora es la cita?What time is the appointment?
- LucíaEs a las tres, más o menos.It is at three, ish.
- MateoEstá bien, allí estaré.Okay, I will be there.
- LucíaPerfecto, nos vemos pronto.Perfect, see you soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry más o menos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries menos, más, o, CC BY-SA 4.0.
