menos
/ˈmenos/
The Spanish phrase menos means less or fewer.
When making a comparison, such as saying 'less than five', you typically follow menos with que.
Which one should you use?
menos is the direct antonym of más (more).
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike in English, where 'less' and 'fewer' are distinct, menos is used for both uncountable and countable nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmenos/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word menos is used to indicate a missing person in a group, such as saying estamos todos menos Juan to mean 'we are all here except Juan'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying menos que nada is a common way to describe something that is not only insignificant but practically nonexistent.
- While 'less' is a comparative in English, menos can also function as a noun meaning 'a deficit' or 'a shortage' in certain economic contexts.
Examples in context
- El resultado es diez menos dos, lo cual es igual a ocho.The result is ten minus two, which equals eight.
- Tengo cinco dólares menos que tú.I have five dollars less than you.
- Tengo clase todos los días, salvo los sábados.I have classes every day, except Saturdays.
- Compré cinco manzanas pero me comí tres, así que ahora tengo dos manzanas menos.I bought five apples but ate three, so now I have two fewer apples.
- Quiero menos azúcar en mi café.I want less sugar in my coffee.
- Hoy hay menos gente en el parque.There are fewer people in the park today.
- Este libro cuesta menos de diez euros.This book costs less than ten euros.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about their workload.
- AlejandroTengo mucho trabajo esta semana.I have a lot of work this week.
- LucíaYo tengo menos trabajo que tú.I have less work than you.
- Alejandro¡Qué suerte tienes, Lucía!How lucky you are, Lucía!
- LucíaPuedo ayudarte si quieres.I can help you if you want.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry menos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
