Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Less in Spanish: Menos
Menos · adverb / adjective · MEH-nohs
The Spanish word for less is 'menos,' an invariable word that does not change form regardless of gender or number. It functions as both an adverb and an adjective, and it is essential for making comparisons. 'Menos' also appears in mathematical expressions meaning 'minus' and in time expressions like 'las tres menos diez' (ten to three).
Pronounce it MEH-nohs, with two syllables and stress on the first. The word is simple and does not vary.
Este camino tiene menos tráfico que la autopista.
This road has less traffic than the highway.
How Native Speakers Use Menos
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Comparison
Este teléfono cuesta menos que el otro modelo.
This phone costs less than the other model.
Comparing prices while shopping.
Expressing quantity
Deberías comer menos azúcar para cuidar tu salud.
You should eat less sugar to take care of your health.
Giving dietary advice.
Time expression
Son las ocho menos cuarto de la mañana.
It is a quarter to eight in the morning.
Telling time using the subtraction method.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Menos
Trying to change the form
Incorrect: Tengo menas tareas que ayer.
Correct: Tengo menos tareas que ayer.
'Menos' is invariable in Spanish — it never changes for gender or number, unlike adjectives that agree with nouns.
Confusing menos with menor
Incorrect: Ella es menos que su hermana (meaning younger).
Correct: Ella es menor que su hermana.
'Menos' means less in quantity or degree, while 'menor' means younger or lesser and is used for age comparisons.
Lock in Less Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Menos used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using menos in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Este camino tiene menos tráfico que la autopista. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Less in Spanish
- What is the opposite of 'menos' in Spanish?
- The opposite of 'menos' is 'más' (more), and together they form the foundation of all comparative structures in Spanish, such as 'más grande' (bigger) and 'menos caro' (less expensive).
- How do I use 'menos' in comparisons?
- The comparative structure follows the pattern 'menos + adjective/noun + que,' as in 'Esta película es menos interesante que la anterior' (This movie is less interesting than the previous one).
- Can 'menos' mean 'minus' in math?
- In arithmetic, 'menos' functions as 'minus,' so 'diez menos tres son siete' translates directly as 'ten minus three equals seven.'