Inklingo

How to Say "better" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “better” is “mejor” — use 'mejor' as an adjective when comparing two or more things, indicating superiority in quality or desirability..

English → Spanish

mejor

/me-HOR//meˈxoɾ/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'mejor' as an adjective when comparing two or more things, indicating superiority in quality or desirability.
A hand choosing a shiny red apple over a simple green one, representing the concept of 'better'.

Examples

Este libro es mejor que el anterior.

This book is better than the previous one.

Este café es mejor que el de ayer.

This coffee is better than yesterday's.

Tengo una idea mejor para el proyecto.

I have a better idea for the project.

La vida en el campo es mucho mejor.

Life in the countryside is much better.

One Form for Masculine & Feminine

'Mejor' is special because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'el coche mejor' (the better car) and 'la casa mejor' (the better house).

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one thing, just add '-es' to the end: 'mejores'. For example, 'Estos libros son mejores' (These books are better).

Always Stays the Same

When 'mejor' describes an action (a verb), it never changes. It's always just 'mejor', no matter who is doing the action. 'Yo canto mejor', 'Ellos cantan mejor'.

Saying 'Más Bueno'

Mistake: “Este libro es más bueno que ese.”

Correction: Este libro es mejor que ese. Spanish combines 'más + bueno' (more good) into the single word 'mejor' when comparing quality.

Confusing with 'Más Bien'

Mistake: “Hablo español más bien ahora.”

Correction: Hablo español mejor ahora. Use 'mejor' to talk about improvement. 'Más bien' means something different, closer to 'rather' or 'actually'.

mejor

/me-HOR//meˈxoɾ/

adverbA2general
Use 'mejor' as an adverb to describe the manner in which an action is performed, meaning 'in a better way'.
A hand choosing a shiny red apple over a simple green one, representing the concept of 'better'.

Examples

Ella canta mejor que nadie.

She sings better than anyone.

Este café es mejor que el de ayer.

This coffee is better than yesterday's.

Tengo una idea mejor para el proyecto.

I have a better idea for the project.

La vida en el campo es mucho mejor.

Life in the countryside is much better.

One Form for Masculine & Feminine

'Mejor' is special because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'el coche mejor' (the better car) and 'la casa mejor' (the better house).

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one thing, just add '-es' to the end: 'mejores'. For example, 'Estos libros son mejores' (These books are better).

Always Stays the Same

When 'mejor' describes an action (a verb), it never changes. It's always just 'mejor', no matter who is doing the action. 'Yo canto mejor', 'Ellos cantan mejor'.

Saying 'Más Bueno'

Mistake: “Este libro es más bueno que ese.”

Correction: Este libro es mejor que ese. Spanish combines 'más + bueno' (more good) into the single word 'mejor' when comparing quality.

Confusing with 'Más Bien'

Mistake: “Hablo español más bien ahora.”

Correction: Hablo español mejor ahora. Use 'mejor' to talk about improvement. 'Más bien' means something different, closer to 'rather' or 'actually'.

mejores

/meh-KHO-ress//meˈxo.ɾes/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'mejores' as the plural form of 'mejor' when comparing two or more things that are plural.
A comparison between two baskets of apples, where one basket contains large, shiny, perfect apples, and the other contains dull, smaller apples, representing the concept of 'better' (plural).

Examples

Tus ideas son mejores que las mías.

Your ideas are better than mine.

Estos zapatos son mejores que los otros.

These shoes are better than the other ones.

Tenemos mejores ideas para el proyecto.

We have better ideas for the project.

Mis notas son mejores este semestre.

My grades are better this semester.

The Plural of 'Better'

'Mejores' is simply the plural form of 'mejor' (better). Use it when you're talking about more than one person or thing that is better than something else.

Saying 'More Good'

Mistake: “Estos libros son más buenos.”

Correction: Estos libros son mejores. In Spanish, 'mejor' already includes the idea of 'more good', so you don't need to add 'más'.

Adjective vs. Adverb: Mejor

The most common confusion is using 'mejor' as an adjective when it should be an adverb, or vice-versa. Remember, 'mejor' can function as both. If you're modifying a noun, it's an adjective; if you're modifying a verb (describing how something is done), it's an adverb.

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