menores
/meh-NOH-rehs/
smaller
The word menores means smaller when referring to size or quantity.
menores(Adjective)
smaller
?in size or quantity
,lesser
?in importance or degree
minor
?as in minor issues
📝 In Action
Para la mudanza necesitamos cajas menores.
A2For the move, we need smaller boxes.
Los daños menores no afectaron la estructura.
B1The minor damage didn't affect the structure.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Since this is the word 'menores', it always describes more than one thing. It's the plural of the adjective 'menor'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Comparison Word
Think of 'menores' as the Spanish way of saying 'less big' or 'less important.' It’s the comparative form of 'pequeño' (small).
In terms of age, menores means younger.
📝 In Action
Mis primas menores todavía están en la universidad.
A2My younger cousins are still in college.
Los jugadores menores de 20 años entrenan aparte.
B1The players younger than 20 train separately.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'Younger'
Mistake: "Using 'más jóvenes' to mean 'younger siblings'."
Correction: Use 'hermanos menores'. 'Menor' is the natural, single-word way to express 'younger' in Spanish when comparing age.
As a noun, menores refers to minors, or people under the legal age.
menores(Noun)
minors
?people under legal age
,children
?general reference to kids
juveniles
?legal context
📝 In Action
La entrada es gratuita para los menores.
A2Admission is free for minors/children.
El centro ofrece actividades recreativas para menores de edad.
B1The center offers recreational activities for underage people.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective to Noun
This is a case where the adjective 'menor' is used as a noun. When you put an article like 'los' or 'las' in front of it, it refers directly to the people who are under the legal age.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
While you can use 'niños' (children) in everyday talk, 'menores' is the word you will see in official notices, laws, and signs.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: menores
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'menores' to mean 'children' or 'minors'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'menores' and 'más pequeños'?
'Menores' is the most common and natural way to express 'smaller' or 'younger' when making a simple comparison (e.g., 'younger sibling' = 'hermano menor'). 'Más pequeños' translates literally to 'more small' and is usually used when you are directly comparing the size of two specific things.
Does 'menores' change based on gender?
No. 'Menores' is already the plural form. It is used for both masculine and feminine things (e.g., 'problemas menores' [m.] and 'cajas menores' [f.]). It only needs to match if the noun it describes is singular ('menor') or plural ('menores').