Comparatives in Portuguese: Mais, Menos, and Tão… Quanto — Practice

Use mais… do que to say “more… than”

Put mais before an adjective or adverb, then use do que before the comparison: mais barato do que (cheaper than), mais cedo do que (earlier than). The adjective still agrees with the noun it describes; mais does not change.

In everyday speech, you may also hear que without do, depending on the construction and rhythm. Learn the full pattern from examples and choose a clear form while you are building confidence.

Use menos… do que to say “less… than”

Use menos in the same place as mais to express a lower degree: menos caro do que, menos difícil do que. It does not agree with the noun. Use the adjective form that matches the noun, as in menos longa for a feminine singular noun.

Comparisons can describe cost, time, distance, preference, or effort. Name both things being compared so your listener knows what menos relates to.

Use tão… quanto to compare equal qualities

Use tão + adjective or adverb + quanto to say two things are equally so: tão fácil quanto (as easy as), tão rápido quanto (as fast as). The adjective agrees with the noun, while tão stays the same.

You may also see tão… como with a similar meaning. For a beginner, choose one pattern and use it consistently. Add a real comparison from your life so the structure becomes easier to remember.

Learn the frequent irregular comparisons

Some common adjectives have shorter comparative forms: bom becomes melhor (better), and ruim becomes pior (worse). These compare a quality directly: este café é melhor do que aquele. Maior and menor are also common comparative forms for bigger and smaller.

You can compare the same thing along two dimensions: the route may be shorter but slower. Avoid forcing more or less into every English sentence; learn the Portuguese comparative form that sounds natural. Real Life Portuguese helps you hear comparisons in context, and I Speak Portuguese teachers can correct your examples.

Remember: Compare two routes, cafés, or study routines using mais, menos, and tão… quanto. Include the comparison point after do que or quanto.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. This café is quieter than that one.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Este café é mais tranquilo do que aquele.

2. Today I woke up earlier than yesterday.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Hoje eu acordei mais cedo do que ontem.

3. The trip turned out more expensive than I expected.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A viagem ficou mais cara do que eu esperava.

4. The second exercise is less difficult than the first.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O segundo exercício é menos difícil do que o primeiro.

5. This route is less extensive, but it has more traffic.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Esta rota é menos extensa, mas tem mais trânsito.

6. I have less time today than yesterday.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Hoje tenho menos tempo do que ontem.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Compare two routes, cafés, or study routines using mais, menos, and tão… quanto. Include the comparison point after do que or quanto.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Comparatives in Portuguese: Mais, Menos, and Tão… Quanto lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.