How to Make Comparisons in Portuguese: Mais, Menos, and Tão
Use mais…do que for ‘more…than,’ menos…do que for ‘less…than,’ and tão…quanto for ‘as…as.’
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
To say that one person or thing has a quality to a greater degree, place mais before the adjective and do que before the comparison: este caminho é mais curto do que o outro (this route is shorter than the other one). For a lesser degree, use menos…do que.
Build a comparison with mais or menos
In quick speech, speakers may shorten do que to que. Keep do que as your clear written pattern, then listen for the shorter form in conversation. The adjective still agrees with the noun: casas mais antigas, lugares menos movimentados.
O ônibus é mais barato do que o táxi.
The bus is cheaper than the taxi.
Esta sala é menos barulhenta do que a outra.
This room is less noisy than the other one.
Hoje está mais quente do que ontem.
Today is warmer than yesterday.
Use tão…quanto for equal comparisons
Tão + adjective + quanto compares two things as equal in a quality: o café é tão bom quanto o chá (the coffee is as good as the tea). You may also hear tão…como. Both are useful patterns for describing a match rather than a difference.
Some frequent comparisons have shorter forms: melhor (better), pior (worse), maior (bigger/older), and menor (smaller/younger). Use the form that fits the meaning instead of combining it with mais: melhor do que, not mais melhor.
A viagem de trem é tão confortável quanto a de ônibus.
The train trip is as comfortable as the bus trip.
Esse mercado é maior do que o do bairro vizinho.
This market is bigger than the one in the next neighborhood.
Dormir bem é melhor do que estudar a noite toda.
Sleeping well is better than studying all night.
Put it into practice
Use mais…do que for ‘more…than,’ menos…do que for ‘less…than,’ and tão…quanto for ‘as…as.’ Learn melhor, pior, maior, and menor as common comparison forms.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Sleeping well is better than studying all night”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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