menor
/meh-NOR/
smaller
The Spanish adjective menor means 'smaller' in size or quantity.
menor(Adjective)
smaller
?in size or quantity
,lesser
?in importance or degree
minor
?not major
,subordinate
?lower rank
📝 In Action
Necesito una porción menor de sopa.
A1I need a smaller portion of soup.
El costo fue mucho menor de lo que esperábamos.
A2The cost was much lesser than we expected.
Esta es la calle menor que lleva al parque.
A2This is the smaller street that leads to the park.
💡 Grammar Points
It includes 'more' already
Unlike English, you never say 'más menor' (more smaller). 'Menor' already means 'smaller than' or 'lesser than,' so you just use it directly.
Gender Check
This word stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine (el riesgo menor, la casa menor). It only changes to 'menores' when plural.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding 'más'
Mistake: "La casa es más menor que el apartamento."
Correction: La casa es menor que el apartamento. (The house is smaller than the apartment.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
'Menor' is often used for abstract comparisons (importance, risk, degree), while 'más pequeño' is usually preferred when comparing physical size of objects.
When referring to age, menor means 'younger'.
📝 In Action
Mi hermano menor tiene veinte años.
A2My younger brother is twenty years old.
Ellos son mucho menores que nosotros.
B1They are much younger than us.
💡 Grammar Points
Standard Age Comparison
While 'más joven' is grammatically correct, 'menor' is the much more natural and common way to talk about a younger sibling or person.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Oldest/Youngest
To say 'the youngest' (the superlative), you still use 'el/la menor' or 'el más joven.' The context makes it clear you mean the very youngest one.
As a noun, menor refers to a 'minor' or an underage person.
📝 In Action
La entrada está prohibida a los menores de edad.
B1Entry is prohibited to minors.
El juez llamó a la menor a declarar.
C1The judge called the minor (girl) to testify.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
When used as a noun, it changes gender like any other noun: 'el menor' (boy minor) and 'la menor' (girl minor).
⭐ Usage Tips
Ages
The phrase 'menor de edad' (minor of age) is the most precise way to use this word in a legal context.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: menor
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'menor' to mean 'less important'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'menor' and 'más pequeño'?
'Menor' is often used for abstract things like importance, age, or quantity (lesser). 'Más pequeño' (more small) is generally used when comparing the physical size of objects, like 'My car is smaller than yours.'
Is 'menor' only for people?
No. 'Menor' can be used for things, ideas, or people. It just means 'smaller/lesser.' When it refers specifically to a person under 18, it is used as a noun, like 'el menor.'