Comparisons in Portuguese: Mais, Menos, and Tão… Quanto
Learn three reusable comparison patterns and practice saying more than, less than, and as…as in Portuguese.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
To compare two things with an adjective or adverb, use mais + description + do que. For example, mais tranquilo do que means more relaxed than. The adjective changes to agree with the person or thing it describes.
Use mais… do que for “more… than”
For a quantity, use mais + noun + do que: Tenho mais tempo do que ontem (I have more time than yesterday). The phrase after do que gives the point of comparison.
Este caminho é mais curto do que o outro.
This route is shorter than the other one.
Hoje estou mais tranquilo do que ontem.
Today I’m more relaxed than yesterday.
Ela fala mais devagar do que eu.
She speaks more slowly than I do.
Use menos… do que for “less… than”
Replace mais with menos to say less…than: menos caro do que (less expensive than), menos longe do que (less far than). The rest of the comparison pattern stays similar.
For equality, use tão + adjective or adverb + quanto: tão fácil quanto (as easy as). With a noun, use tanto/tanta/tantos/tantas quanto to agree with the quantity word.
O segundo exercício é menos difícil do que o primeiro.
The second exercise is less difficult than the first.
A viagem foi tão longa quanto eu esperava.
The trip was as long as I expected.
Tenho tantos livros quanto você.
I have as many books as you.
Keep the two things being compared clear
Name both sides of the comparison when the listener might not know what you mean. If the second side is obvious, speakers may shorten the sentence, but a complete comparison is helpful while you are learning.
Do not confuse tão… quanto (as…as) with tanto… quanto for quantity. Compare the description with tão tranquila quanto; compare the number or amount with tantos dias quanto.
Brasília é tão seca quanto eu imaginava.
Brasília is as dry as I imagined.
Este café tem menos açúcar do que aquele.
This coffee has less sugar than that one.
A turma tem tantos alunos quanto a outra.
The class has as many students as the other one.
Put it into practice
Choose two real things you know and compare them once with mais, once with menos, and once with tão… quanto.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Today I’m more relaxed than yesterday”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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