Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say More Than in Spanish: Más Que / Más De
Más Que · comparative phrase · MAHS keh
The English phrase 'more than' translates as 'más que' when comparing qualities or making general comparisons, and 'más de' when followed by a number or quantity. This distinction is one of the most important grammar points in Spanish comparisons. Mixing them up changes the meaning or creates an ungrammatical sentence.
Pronounce 'más que' as MAHS keh and 'más de' as MAHS deh. The accent on 'más' distinguishes it from the conjunction 'mas' (but).
Te quiero más que a nadie en este mundo.
I love you more than anyone in this world.
More Than in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for more than, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| más que | more than | MAHS keh | Default, widely understood |
| más de | more than | used before numbers and quantities |
How Native Speakers Use Más Que
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Comparing qualities
Este libro es más interesante que el anterior.
This book is more interesting than the previous one.
Comparing two books.
Numerical comparison
El estadio tiene capacidad para más de cuarenta mil espectadores.
The stadium has capacity for more than forty thousand spectators.
Describing a venue capacity with a numerical threshold.
Expressing preference
Me gusta el café más que el té.
I like coffee more than tea.
Sharing a beverage preference.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Más Que
Using más que before numbers
Incorrect: Tengo más que cien libros.
Correct: Tengo más de cien libros.
Before numbers and quantities, Spanish requires 'más de,' not 'más que' — 'más que' is reserved for comparing nouns, adjectives, or verbs.
Omitting the accent on más
Incorrect: Es mas grande que el otro.
Correct: Es más grande que el otro.
Without the accent, 'mas' is an archaic conjunction meaning 'but,' while 'más' with the accent is the adverb meaning 'more.'
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Common Questions About More Than in Spanish
- When do I use 'más que' versus 'más de'?
- Use 'más de' directly before numbers or amounts (más de diez, más de mil), and 'más que' when comparing two things or making qualitative comparisons (más rápido que, más que suficiente).
- Can 'más que' and 'más de' be used interchangeably?
- They cannot be used interchangeably because each serves a different grammatical function — swapping them produces incorrect sentences or alters the intended meaning of the comparison.
- How do I say 'nothing more than' in Spanish?
- The expression 'nothing more than' is 'nada más que' or 'no más que,' used to indicate a limit, as in 'No tengo nada más que decir' (I have nothing more to say).