menos + Adjective + do que

Comparative of Inferiority

Level 1

The Comparative of Inferiority is used to compare two things where the first has a lower degree of a quality than the second. It follows the structure: menos + [adjective] + (do) que.

How It Works

The Comparative of Inferiority is a straightforward way to express that something is 'less' of a certain quality.

1. Structure:
The formula is: Subject A + verb + menos + adjective + do que + Subject B.
Example: O carro é menos caro do que a moto. (The car is less expensive than the motorcycle.)

2. Adjective Agreement:
Crucially, the adjective must agree in gender and number with the first subject being compared.

  • Ele é menos alto do que ela. (Masculine singular)
  • Elas são menos altas do que eles. (Feminine plural)

3. The 'do' is Optional:
You can use either do que or simply que. Both are correct. Do que is often preferred in formal writing, while que is very common in casual speech.

4. 'Menos' is Invariable:
The word menos is an adverb here and never changes. There is no such word as 'menas' in standard Portuguese grammar.

Examples (4)

  1. Este livro é menos interessante do que o outro.

    This book is less interesting than the other one.

    Word by Word: This book is less interesting than the other.

    A standard comparison between two objects using the masculine singular adjective 'interessante'.

  2. As lanchonetes são menos caras do que os restaurantes.

    The snack bars are less expensive than the restaurants.

    Word by Word: The snack-bars are less expensive than the restaurants.

    Notice that 'caras' is feminine plural to agree with 'lanchonetes'.

  3. Hoje o dia está menos quente que ontem.

    Today is less hot than yesterday.

    Word by Word: Today the day is less hot than yesterday.

    This example uses 'que' instead of 'do que', which is common in spoken Portuguese.

  4. Eu sou menos alto do que meu irmão.

    I am less tall than my brother.

    Word by Word: I am less tall than my brother.

    In Portuguese, saying 'less tall' is perfectly natural, whereas English might prefer 'shorter'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'menas' with feminine nouns.

    Ela é menas alta do que eu.
    Ela é menos alta do que eu.

    The word 'menos' is an adverb and is invariable. It never changes to 'menas', regardless of the gender of the subject.

  • Forgetting adjective agreement.

    As casas são menos caro do que os apartamentos.
    As casas são menos caras do que os apartamentos.

    The adjective must agree with the first subject (as casas). Since 'casas' is feminine plural, 'caro' must become 'caras'.

How It Connects

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menos + Adjective + do queLevel 1Comparative of Inferiority

Learn This First

To use the comparative of inferiority, you must first understand how adjectives agree with nouns in Portuguese. Additionally, since these comparisons often describe characteristics, familiarity with the verb 'ser' is necessary. Finally, recognizing the contraction 'do' helps in understanding the 'do que' (than) part of the structure.

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Words in This Pattern

do que