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How to Say "bigger" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mayor

/mah-YOR//maˈʝoɾ/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'mayor' when referring to something that is greater in scale, importance, or size, including abstract concepts like problems or issues.
A massive, prominent statue placed in the center of a wide, open town square, illustrating the concept of main or biggest.

Examples

La contaminación es el mayor problema de la ciudad.

Pollution is the city's biggest problem.

La Plaza Mayor es muy bonita.

The main square is very beautiful.

Este proyecto requiere una inversión mayor.

This project requires a greater investment.

'Mayor' vs. 'Más Grande'

Use 'mayor' for abstract things like importance, difficulty, or concern. Use 'más grande' when you're talking about physical size. For example, 'un problema mayor' (a bigger problem) but 'una casa más grande' (a bigger house).

mayores

mah-YOH-rehs/maˈʝoɾes/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'mayores' primarily when referring to people or things that are older, or larger in a more literal, physical sense, often implying quantity or age.
A tall adult with slightly graying hair smiling down warmly at a much shorter, younger child, illustrating the comparison of ages.

Examples

Mis hijos mayores ya están en la universidad.

My older children are already in university.

Necesitamos vehículos mayores para transportar todo el equipo.

We need bigger vehicles to transport all the equipment.

Los desafíos de este proyecto son mayores de lo que pensamos.

The challenges of this project are greater than we thought.

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'.

Adding 'Más'

Mistake: “Estos coches son más mayores.”

Correction: Estos coches son mayores. ('Mayores' already means 'more big/old,' so 'más' is unnecessary.)

Abstract vs. Concrete Size

Learners often confuse 'mayor' and 'mayores' by using 'mayores' for abstract concepts. Remember that 'mayor' is best for 'bigger' when talking about issues, problems, or general scale, while 'mayores' is more for literal size or age.

Related Translations

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