mayores
/mah-YOH-rehs/
older
When used as an adjective, mayores means 'older', often used to compare ages.
mayores(adjective)
older
?referring to age
,bigger
?referring to size
greater
?referring to importance or quantity
,senior
?referring to status
📝 In Action
Mis hijos mayores ya están en la universidad.
A1My older children are already in university.
Necesitamos vehículos mayores para transportar todo el equipo.
A2We need bigger vehicles to transport all the equipment.
Los desafíos de este proyecto son mayores de lo que pensamos.
B1The challenges of this project are greater than we thought.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Since this word ends in '-es', it must always describe more than one person or thing. It is the plural form of the singular word 'mayor'.
The Irregular Comparison
'Mayores' already means 'bigger' or 'older,' so you don't need to add the word 'más' (more) before it. You would never say 'más mayores'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding 'Más'
Mistake: "Estos coches son más mayores."
Correction: Estos coches son mayores. ('Mayores' already means 'more big/old,' so 'más' is unnecessary.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Comparison Structure
Use 'mayores que' (older/bigger than) to compare two things: 'Ellos son mayores que nosotros.' (They are older than us.)
As a noun, mayores refers to the 'elders' or older people in a community.
mayores(noun)
elders
?older people in general
,adults
?people over the age of majority
superiors
?people in charge, parents
📝 In Action
Debemos escuchar los consejos de nuestros mayores.
A2We must listen to the advice of our elders (or parents/superiors).
La entrada al museo es gratuita para los mayores.
A1Museum entry is free for seniors.
El club organiza actividades solo para mayores de edad.
B1The club organizes activities only for adults (people of legal age).
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective acting as Noun
When you put the article 'los' or 'las' in front of 'mayores', it automatically turns the adjective into a noun meaning 'the older people' or 'the seniors'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal and Respectful
Referring to older people as 'los mayores' is a very respectful and widely accepted way to speak about them, often preferred over words like 'ancianos' (the elderly).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mayores
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'mayores' to mean 'older people'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the singular form of 'mayores'?
The singular form is 'mayor.' It can mean 'older' (Mi hermana es mayor) or 'bigger' (El coche es mayor).
Can 'mayores' refer to things that aren't age-related?
Yes! While often used for age, 'mayores' can mean 'bigger' in size or 'greater' in importance or magnitude, like 'Tenemos mayores responsabilidades' (We have greater responsibilities).