Comparatives in Portuguese: Mais, Menos, and Tão… Quanto
Use a small set of comparison patterns to say that something is more, less, or just as interesting, expensive, or convenient as something else.
Real Life Portuguese · 8 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
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.
Use mais… do que to say “more… than”
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.
Este café é mais tranquilo do que aquele.
This café is quieter than that one.
Hoje eu acordei mais cedo do que ontem.
Today I woke up earlier than yesterday.
A viagem ficou mais cara do que eu esperava.
The trip turned out more expensive than I expected.
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.
O segundo exercício é menos difícil do que o primeiro.
The second exercise is less difficult than the first.
Esta rota é menos extensa, mas tem mais trânsito.
This route is less extensive, but it has more traffic.
Hoje tenho menos tempo do que ontem.
I have less time today than yesterday.
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.
Esse caminho é tão seguro quanto o outro.
That route is as safe as the other one.
Ela fala tão claramente quanto a professora.
She speaks as clearly as the teacher.
Meu quarto não é tão grande quanto o seu.
My room is not as big as yours.
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.
A comida aqui é melhor do que no aeroporto.
The food here is better than at the airport.
A sala é menor, mas mais confortável.
The room is smaller but more comfortable.
O trânsito hoje está pior do que ontem.
Traffic is worse today than yesterday.
Put it into practice
Compare two routes, cafés, or study routines using mais, menos, and tão… quanto. Include the comparison point after do que or quanto.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The food here is better than at the airport”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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