menos
/ˈmenos/
The English word "less" is translated into Spanish as menos. Wiktionary also lists en menos.
Meaning: to a smaller extent or degree (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| menos | /ˈmenos/ |
| en menos | /en menos/ (from spelling rules) |
menos is an adverb used to indicate something occurring to a smaller extent or degree. It can also function as a determiner meaning "not as much". In informal speech, you might hear the expression Menos rollo to mean "less hassle" or "less drama".
Which one should you use?
Unlike in English, the word menos is invariable. It does not change its form based on whether the noun it modifies is masculine, feminine, singular or plural.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use menos to mean "less than" followed by a number, you must use the preposition de instead of que. This results in the construction menos de.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmenos/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you can say menos mal to mean 'it could be worse' or 'thank goodness', even though the literal translation is 'less bad'.
- The word menos is used when telling time to subtract minutes from the hour, such as saying 'ten less' for ten minutes to the hour.
- The word menos shares the same Latin ancestor as the English word 'minor', both stemming from the root meaning 'lesser'.
Examples in context
- Cada vez gano menos.Every time I win less.Tatoeba #6669440 by arh, translation #8160836 by magnificentgoddess
- No mido menos que tú.I'm not less than you.Tatoeba #6584312 by arh, translation #8789854 by shekitten
- Tengo menos de quince.I have less than fifteen.This sentence demonstrates the use of menos with a number using the menos de construction.Tatoeba #2266999 by cueyayotl, translation #2266998 by _undertoad
- Necesito comprar menos comidaI need to buy less food
- La compañía planea disminuir los costos operativosThe company plans to decrease operational costs
- Deja de quejarte, menos rollo y más acciónStop complaining, less hassle, more action
- La película no es tan interesante como penséThe movie is not as interesting as I thought
- Espera un poco menos de tiempoWait a little less time
- 303 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing their work schedules.
- DanielAhora trabajo menos que el año pasado.Now I work less than last year.
- LucíaEso es bueno, Daniel.That is good, Daniel.
- DanielSí, pero gano menos dinero.Yes, but I earn less money.
- LucíaTienes más tiempo libre entonces.You have more free time then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “less” translations and entries menos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, menos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
