3.4.1 Adverbs of local relation
lejos
arriba
abajo
atrás
enfrente
detrás
delante
encima
abajo, debajo , bajo por debajo, por abajo
arriba, encima, sobre, por encima, por arriba
de cerca
arriba
abajo
atrás
enfrente
detrás
delante
encima
abajo, debajo , bajo por debajo, por abajo
arriba, encima, sobre, por encima, por arriba
de cerca
Si tu mano o tu pie te arrastra al pecado, córtatelo y tíralo lejos.
= If your hand or your foot takes you to the rubbish, cut them lose and throw them far away.
= If your hand or your foot takes you to the rubbish, cut them lose and throw them far away.
Ella estaba sentada enfrente de un hombre, que no dejó de mirarla.
= She sat opposite to a man that didn't stop looking at her.
= She sat opposite to a man that didn't stop looking at her.
Todos los que iban detrás de este coche murieron al explotar la bomba.
= All that went behind this car died when the bomb exploded.
= All that went behind this car died when the bomb exploded.
Lo decidieron por encima de la voluntad del pueblo.
= They decided on top of the will of the people.
(regardless the will of the people)
= They decided on top of the will of the people.
(regardless the will of the people)
debajo = below (locally)
por debajo = under something (through)
bajo= below (also figuratively)
abajo = down (down, absolutely speaking )
por debajo = under something (through)
bajo= below (also figuratively)
abajo = down (down, absolutely speaking )
Have a look
Voy por abajo.
= I go down.
Voy abajo.
= I come down.
Voy por debajo del puente.
= I go under the bridge (I go through the bridge, under its arches).
Voy debajo del puente.
= I go below the bridge.
Ibamos debajo de la lluvia por las calles.
= We went under the rain through the streets.
Ibamos bajo la lluvia por las calles.
= We went in the rain through the street.
Iba debajo de una sábana asi que no se sabía quién era.
= He went under a bed sheet this way nobody knew who he was.
Estoy abajo.
= I'm down here.
Bajo su presidencia la inflación iba creciendo.
= Under his presidency the inflation grew constantly.
= I go down.
Voy abajo.
= I come down.
Voy por debajo del puente.
= I go under the bridge (I go through the bridge, under its arches).
Voy debajo del puente.
= I go below the bridge.
Ibamos debajo de la lluvia por las calles.
= We went under the rain through the streets.
Ibamos bajo la lluvia por las calles.
= We went in the rain through the street.
Iba debajo de una sábana asi que no se sabía quién era.
= He went under a bed sheet this way nobody knew who he was.
Estoy abajo.
= I'm down here.
Bajo su presidencia la inflación iba creciendo.
= Under his presidency the inflation grew constantly.
abajo (down) is to be used absolutely and does not indicate a relation between two objects. It's actually the same in English. You do not say The book is down the table. Abajo is used in constructions like:
He goes down - Va abajo
He goes down - Va abajo
debajo (below), por debajo (under), bajo (under, below ) are relative adverbs and relate to another object in the sentence. I go below doesn't mean much. It's always the question below what?
He goes below a bridge - Va debajo de un puente.
The difference between por debajo and debajo is not quite easy to explain: por debajo means "under something through" and debajo means "under, below".
He goes below a bridge. - Va debajo de un puente.
He goes under a bridge (through). He goes through the bridge below its arch. (how poetic!) - Va por debajo de un puente.
He goes below a bridge - Va debajo de un puente.
The difference between por debajo and debajo is not quite easy to explain: por debajo means "under something through" and debajo means "under, below".
He goes below a bridge. - Va debajo de un puente.
He goes under a bridge (through). He goes through the bridge below its arch. (how poetic!) - Va por debajo de un puente.
There is no difference in the meaning of bajo and debajo. Bajo is not used with a preposition. Bajo does also mean low therefore it's important not to mix constructions like: por bajo consumo (because of low consumption) with El pájaro pasa por debajo del puente (The bird flew under the bridge through.).
sobre = on, over
encima = above, => see debajo
por encima = over, => see por debajo
arriba = up (in an absolute meaning) => see abajo
encima = above, => see debajo
por encima = over, => see por debajo
arriba = up (in an absolute meaning) => see abajo
Have a look
Voy por arriba. = I go up.
Voy arriba. = I come up.
Voy encima del puente. = I go on the bridge.
Voy por encima del puente. = I go over the bridge.
Jesús andaba encima del agua. = Jesus walked above water.
Jesús andaba sobre el agua. = Jesus walked on water.
Estoy arriba. = I am up. (locally)
Voy arriba. = I come up.
Voy encima del puente. = I go on the bridge.
Voy por encima del puente. = I go over the bridge.
Jesús andaba encima del agua. = Jesus walked above water.
Jesús andaba sobre el agua. = Jesus walked on water.
Estoy arriba. = I am up. (locally)
arriba can be compared to abajo. It has an absolute meaning and can't be used to indicate relations between objects. Actually it's again the same in English: The book lies up the table - this sentence is pure nonsense. Arriba is used in sentences like:
I go up. - Voy arriba.
He is up there. - Está arriba.
I go up. - Voy arriba.
He is up there. - Está arriba.
encima, encima por, sobre are relative, they indicate a relation to another object. I see over. is again nonsense.
I see over the bridge. - Ve sobre el puente.
He walks over the bridge. - Anda por encima del puente.
I see over the bridge. - Ve sobre el puente.
He walks over the bridge. - Anda por encima del puente.
3.4.2 Adverbs that indicate how something is done
Al fin conocí el tan famoso actor.
= At the end, he met the very famous actor.
El tan añorado día había llegado.
= The so awaited day had come.
No seas tan testarudo.
= do not be so stubborn.
= At the end, he met the very famous actor.
El tan añorado día había llegado.
= The so awaited day had come.
No seas tan testarudo.
= do not be so stubborn.
tan is used also in comparative clauses, then it means 'as'
Él es tan grande como ella. = He is as big as she is.
Nosotros somos tan ricos como vosotros. = We are as rich as you are.
Nosotros somos tan ricos como vosotros. = We are as rich as you are.
3.4.3 Adverbs of timely relation
ahora
hasta ahora
mañana
hasta mañana
anoche
de antemano
ayer
anteayer
hoy mismo
a menudo
siempre
de repente
en seguida
recién
entretanto
todavía
todavía no
tarde
pronto
hace poco
aún
hasta ahora
mañana
hasta mañana
anoche
de antemano
ayer
anteayer
hoy mismo
a menudo
siempre
de repente
en seguida
recién
entretanto
todavía
todavía no
tarde
pronto
hace poco
aún
Hasta mañana se va a resolver el problema. = Until tomorrow the problem will be solved.
Some other phrases with noche
El sábado por la noche nos fuimos a un bar. = Saturday night we went to a bar.
De noche llegamos a Chicago.. = At night we arrived in Chicago.
Se despertaron cuando ya era de noche oscura. = They woke up when it was already dark night. (late at night)
De noche llegamos a Chicago.. = At night we arrived in Chicago.
Se despertaron cuando ya era de noche oscura. = They woke up when it was already dark night. (late at night)
Él lo sabía de antemano pero no nos dijo nada. = He knew beforehand but didn't say anything.
Me llamó ayer para decirme que no podía venir. = He called me yesterday to tell me that he could not come.
Anteayer nos fuimos a comprar zapatos. = The day before yesterday we went to buy shoes.
Lo vas hacer hoy mismo, si no te quedas en casa mañana.
= You will do it still today otherwise you stay home tomorrow.
= You will do it still today otherwise you stay home tomorrow.
Siempre iba a la universidad pero no aprendió nada.
= He always went to the university but didn't learn anything.
= He always went to the university but didn't learn anything.
De repente me dijo que no llevaba dinero consigo.
= Suddenly he told me that he didn't have any money
Recién supe que él es un hombre rico.
= Recently I learnt that he is a rich man.
Latin America: Recién después que se había ido, me enteré quién era.
= Only after he had left I learnt who he was.
Spain: Sólo después que se había ido, me enteré quién era.
= Only after he had left I learnt who he was.
Ni siquiera es capaz de acordarse del contenido de los libros leidos recientemente.
= He is not even able to remember the content of the books he recently read.
= Recently I learnt that he is a rich man.
Latin America: Recién después que se había ido, me enteré quién era.
= Only after he had left I learnt who he was.
Spain: Sólo después que se había ido, me enteré quién era.
= Only after he had left I learnt who he was.
Ni siquiera es capaz de acordarse del contenido de los libros leidos recientemente.
= He is not even able to remember the content of the books he recently read.
Yo me voy a hacer compras, entretanto podéis hacer lo que os de la gana.
= I go shopping; in the meanwhile, you can do whatever you like.
= I go shopping; in the meanwhile, you can do whatever you like.
Note: por la tarde = in the afternoon
Le veo hoy por la tarde. = I see him in the afternoon.
Hace poco ni siquiera podía pedir un café en español.
= A short time ago I could not even order coffee in Spanish.
= A short time ago I could not even order coffee in Spanish.
3.4.4 Adverbs that express opposites, consequences and how things are done
sin embargo
no obstante
por lo tanto
por lo menos
al menos
siquiera
cuando menos
desde luego
ni siquiera
más bien
por poco
poco a poco
un poco
lo de menos
más o menos
apenas
no obstante
por lo tanto
por lo menos
al menos
siquiera
cuando menos
desde luego
ni siquiera
más bien
por poco
poco a poco
un poco
lo de menos
más o menos
apenas
Sin embargo lo hacemos.
= Nevertheless we do it.
No tiene dinero, pero sin embargo se compra un coche.
= He has not got any money; nevertheless, he buys a car.
= Nevertheless we do it.
No tiene dinero, pero sin embargo se compra un coche.
= He has not got any money; nevertheless, he buys a car.
No obstante que la situación económica está mal, la gente se divierte.
= Although the economic situation is bad, people have fun.
No obstante, Chirac dijo que la situación económica parece mejorarse.
= Although, Chirac said that the economic situation seems to get better.
= Although the economic situation is bad, people have fun.
No obstante, Chirac dijo que la situación económica parece mejorarse.
= Although, Chirac said that the economic situation seems to get better.
Somos humanos y por lo tanto no somos perfectos.
= We are humans and therefore we aren't perfect.
Creo cumplir con estos requerimientos y por lo tanto puedo resolver este problema.
= I believe to fulfil the requirements and therefore I can solve this problem.
= We are humans and therefore we aren't perfect.
Creo cumplir con estos requerimientos y por lo tanto puedo resolver este problema.
= I believe to fulfil the requirements and therefore I can solve this problem.
Por lo menos habría podido decirme que no viene.
= At least he could have said that he doesn't come.
Por lo menos había algo de comer en el refrigerador.
= At least there was something to eat in the fridge.
= At least he could have said that he doesn't come.
Por lo menos había algo de comer en el refrigerador.
= At least there was something to eat in the fridge.
Al menos 60 personas murieron en el motín.
= At least 60 persons died in the commotion.
= At least 60 persons died in the commotion.
¡Si siquiera nos hubieran avisado antes! = If they had at least informed us!
alternatively:
¡Si por lo menos nos hubieran avisado antes! = If you only had informed us!!
alternatively:
¡Si por lo menos nos hubieran avisado antes! = If you only had informed us!!
Cuando menos invitaron a tres personas.
= They invited at least three people.
alternatively:
Invitaron por lo menos tres personas.
= They invited at least three people.
Los amigos se van cuando menos lo esperamos.
= Friends leave when we expect it the least.
Habrá estado en la cueva cuando menos 3 días.
= He will have been in the cave at least three days.
= They invited at least three people.
alternatively:
Invitaron por lo menos tres personas.
= They invited at least three people.
Los amigos se van cuando menos lo esperamos.
= Friends leave when we expect it the least.
Habrá estado en la cueva cuando menos 3 días.
= He will have been in the cave at least three days.
Me parece más bien que no tiene ganas de hacerlo. = I rather believe he doesn't feel like doing it.
Por poco y me habría caido por el susto. = I almost fell down with the shock.
alternatively:
Casi me habría caido por el susto. = I almost fell down with the shock.
alternatively:
Casi me habría caido por el susto. = I almost fell down with the shock.
Poco a poco se anda lejos.
= Step by step you go far.
Poco a poco me voy acostumbrando a la vida de holgazán.
= Slowly I get used to the live of leasure.
= Step by step you go far.
Poco a poco me voy acostumbrando a la vida de holgazán.
= Slowly I get used to the live of leasure.
Él es un poco raro, pero en el fondo es una persona muy gentíl.
= He is a little strange but in the bottom of this heart a very nice person.
Le tengo un poco miedo.
= I'm a little afraid of him.
= He is a little strange but in the bottom of this heart a very nice person.
Le tengo un poco miedo.
= I'm a little afraid of him.
¡Qué me haya mentido es lo de menos! Pero conste que incluso me robó mi dinero.
= That he lied to me is the least, but he also stole my money.
= That he lied to me is the least, but he also stole my money.
3.4.5 Adverbs expressing quality or quantity
Se levantó muy temprano para ir al trabajo. = He got up very early to go to work.
Él cocina muy bien. = He cooks very well.
Él cocina muy bien. = He cooks very well.
Habla mucho, para no decir demasiado. = He talks a lot not to say too much.
La tengo mucho cariño. = I like her a lot.
La tengo mucho cariño. = I like her a lot.
Sabe poco, pero si habla lo hace con tanta soltura que nadie se da cuenta de lo ignorante que es.
= He knows little, but if he speaks he does it with such elegance that nobody notices his ignorance
Dale un poco de azúcar.
= Give him a little sugar.
= He knows little, but if he speaks he does it with such elegance that nobody notices his ignorance
Dale un poco de azúcar.
= Give him a little sugar.
3.4.6 Other adverbs
Él es muy silencioso, habla sólo cuando le pregunten. = He is very quiet, he speaks only when he is asked.
Después de todo lo que ha ocurrido, yo ya no hablo con él.
= After all that happened I do not speak to him anymore.
= After all that happened I do not speak to him anymore.
3.4.7 Derived adverbs
Adjective as alternative to adverb
Adjective instead of adverb
Different meaning of adjective and adverb
Adverbial clauses as substitute for adverbs
Adjective instead of adverb
Different meaning of adjective and adverb
Adverbial clauses as substitute for adverbs
Derived adverbs
Like in English many adverbs can be formed by using an ending. In English it is -ly. In Spanish it is -mente appended to the feminine form of the adjective. If there is no special feminine form because the adjective ends on an e the ending -mente is appended to this e.
| masculine | feminine | adverb | meaning |
| generoso | generosa | generosamente | generously |
| cuidadoso | cuidadosa | cuidadosamente | carefully |
| rápido | rápida | rápidamente | fast |
| concienzudo | concienzuda | concienzudamente | consciously |
| tranquilo | tranquila | tranquilamente | calmly |
| lento | lenta | lentamente | slowly |
| lamentable | lamentable | lamentablemente | unfortunately |
| mortal | mortal | mortalmente | deadly |
| feliz | feliz | felizmente | luckily |
| alegre | alegre | alegremente | happily |
| difícil | difícil | difícilmente | with difficulty |
| fuerte | fuerte | fuertemente | strongly |
| probable | probable | probablemente | probably |
Example
Después haber bebido tranquilamente su cerveza, se levantó y comenzó a cantar.
= After having drunk calmly his beer he got up and began to sing.
Rápidamente se divulgó el rumor de que se había muerto.
= The rumour that he had died spread fast.
Tocaron fuertemente a la puerte, tan fuerte que me desperté.
= It was knocked at the door loudly, so loud that I woke up.
Probablemente me lo dice si se lo pregunto.
= Probably he tells me if I ask him
= After having drunk calmly his beer he got up and began to sing.
Rápidamente se divulgó el rumor de que se había muerto.
= The rumour that he had died spread fast.
Tocaron fuertemente a la puerte, tan fuerte que me desperté.
= It was knocked at the door loudly, so loud that I woke up.
Probablemente me lo dice si se lo pregunto.
= Probably he tells me if I ask him
Some adjectives are used as adverbs even though a suitable adverb does exist. In these cases the masculine form of the adjective is used as adverb. If you are unsure which one to use have search at Google. Usually the adverbial form is more commonly used.
Él corre rápido. <=> Corre rápidamente. = He runs fast. (rapidly)
A veces la vida nos pega duramente. <=> A veces la vida nos pega duro. = Sometimes life sucks.
A veces la vida nos pega duramente. <=> A veces la vida nos pega duro. = Sometimes life sucks.
In English this phenomenon has a rule, that with certain verbs the adjective is used instead of the adverb.
It tastes good (not It tastes well!)
He is quick (not He is quickly!)
It tastes good (not It tastes well!)
He is quick (not He is quickly!)
Sometimes you'll find cases where the masculine form of the adjective has to be used because there is no adverb and you can't create it with -mente.
Lo compré muy barato en la tienda de al lado.
= I bought it cheaply in the shop next door.
incorrect: Lo compré baratamente en la tienda de al lado.
Tenía que trabajar duro para tener éxito.
= He worked hard (not hardly!!) to have success.
incorrect: Tenía que trabajar duramente para tener éxito.
Lo has comprado demasiado caro.
= You have bought this too expensively.
incorrect: Lo has comprado demasiado caramente.
= I bought it cheaply in the shop next door.
incorrect: Lo compré baratamente en la tienda de al lado.
Tenía que trabajar duro para tener éxito.
= He worked hard (not hardly!!) to have success.
incorrect: Tenía que trabajar duramente para tener éxito.
Lo has comprado demasiado caro.
= You have bought this too expensively.
incorrect: Lo has comprado demasiado caramente.
Se viste muy raro. = He dresses strangely.
Se viste raramente. = He dresses rarely.
Trabaja muy preciso. = He works very exact.
Precisamente hoy trabaja. = Today of all days he works.
En cuanto se refiere a eso, todo el mundo piensa distinto. = Referring to this everyone thinks differently.
Piensa distintamente. = He thinks in a differenciated way.
Se viste raramente. = He dresses rarely.
Trabaja muy preciso. = He works very exact.
Precisamente hoy trabaja. = Today of all days he works.
En cuanto se refiere a eso, todo el mundo piensa distinto. = Referring to this everyone thinks differently.
Piensa distintamente. = He thinks in a differenciated way.
Se viste elegantemente.
<=> Se viste con elegancia.
= He dresses elegantly <=> He dresses with elegance.
Bebió un zumo de naranja silenciosamente.
<=> Bebió un zumo de naranja en silencio.
= He drank silently an orange juice. <=> He drank an orange juice in silence.
Nos íbamos frequentemente al bar que está en frente de mi casa.
<=> Nos ibamos con frequencia al bar que está en frente de mi casa.
= We often went to the bar that was across the street opposite of my home. <=> We went with frequency to the bar that was across the street opposite of my home.
Hicimos el trabajo cuidadosamente.
<=> Hicimos el trabajo con cuidado.
= We did the work carefully. <=> We did the work with care.
Se despidió cariñosamente.
<=> Se despidió con cariño.
= They said goodbye tenderly. <=> They said goodbye with tenderness.
Indudablemente lo hizo mal.
<=> Sin duda lo hizo mal.
= Doubtlessly he did it badly. <=> Without doubt he did it badly.
Generalmente no me gustan los mejillones.
<=> En general no me gustan los mejillones.
= Generally I do not like mussels. <=> In general I do not like mussels.
<=> Se viste con elegancia.
= He dresses elegantly <=> He dresses with elegance.
Bebió un zumo de naranja silenciosamente.
<=> Bebió un zumo de naranja en silencio.
= He drank silently an orange juice. <=> He drank an orange juice in silence.
Nos íbamos frequentemente al bar que está en frente de mi casa.
<=> Nos ibamos con frequencia al bar que está en frente de mi casa.
= We often went to the bar that was across the street opposite of my home. <=> We went with frequency to the bar that was across the street opposite of my home.
Hicimos el trabajo cuidadosamente.
<=> Hicimos el trabajo con cuidado.
= We did the work carefully. <=> We did the work with care.
Se despidió cariñosamente.
<=> Se despidió con cariño.
= They said goodbye tenderly. <=> They said goodbye with tenderness.
Indudablemente lo hizo mal.
<=> Sin duda lo hizo mal.
= Doubtlessly he did it badly. <=> Without doubt he did it badly.
Generalmente no me gustan los mejillones.
<=> En general no me gustan los mejillones.
= Generally I do not like mussels. <=> In general I do not like mussels.
3.4.8 Comparative clauses
The Spanish comparative
Equality = ... tan (tanto) + adjective (noun) + como ....
Superiority = ... más (más) + adjective (noun) + que ...
Subordination = ... menos (menos) + adjective (noun) + que ....
Superlative
Relative superlative with superiority = ... el / la + más + adjective +de
Relative superlative with subordination = ... el / la + más + adjective +de
Elative
Formation of the elative with an adverb (muy, sumamente etc.)
Formation of the elative with ísimo
Specialties
Equality = ... tan (tanto) + adjective (noun) + como ....
Superiority = ... más (más) + adjective (noun) + que ...
Subordination = ... menos (menos) + adjective (noun) + que ....
Superlative
Relative superlative with superiority = ... el / la + más + adjective +de
Relative superlative with subordination = ... el / la + más + adjective +de
Elative
Formation of the elative with an adverb (muy, sumamente etc.)
Formation of the elative with ísimo
Specialties
Comparative clauses - an introduction
Comparative clauses are used to - how the name already says - compare things. They tell us how one thing is in quality or quantity related to another thing. They can be superior, they subordinated or equal. A comparison can be done with nouns, adjectives and adverbs.
Noun
He has more money than you do.
He has less money than you do.
He has as much money as you do.
He has less money than you do.
He has as much money as you do.
Adjective
He is richer than you are.
He is poorer than you are.
He is as rich as you are.
He is poorer than you are.
He is as rich as you are.
Adverbs
He runs faster than you do.
He runs more slowly than you do.
He runs as fast as you do.
He runs more slowly than you do.
He runs as fast as you do.
Superlative
The superlative goes one step further. It compares one fact not to only one other fact but to ALL other fact.
He is the richest man (of all men).
He is the richest of all.
He runs the fastest.
He is the richest of all.
He runs the fastest.
Él es tan grande como ella. <=> He is as tall as she is.
Ellos son tan ricos como Ustedes. <=> They are as rich as you are.
Vosotros sois tan testarudos como ellos. <=> You are as stubborn as they are..
Él es tan rico como ella. = He is as rich as she is.
Él corre tan rápido como ella. <=> He runs as fast as she does.
Los perros viven tanto tiempo como los gatos. <=> Dogs live as long as cats.
Nosotros tenemos tanto dinero como vosotros. = We have as much money as you have.
En España hay tantos coches como en Inglaterra. = In Spain there are as many cars as in England.
Ellos son tan ricos como Ustedes. <=> They are as rich as you are.
Vosotros sois tan testarudos como ellos. <=> You are as stubborn as they are..
Él es tan rico como ella. = He is as rich as she is.
Él corre tan rápido como ella. <=> He runs as fast as she does.
Los perros viven tanto tiempo como los gatos. <=> Dogs live as long as cats.
Nosotros tenemos tanto dinero como vosotros. = We have as much money as you have.
En España hay tantos coches como en Inglaterra. = In Spain there are as many cars as in England.
Él es más grande que ella. <=> He is taller than she is.
Ellos son más ricos que Ustedes. <=> They are richer than you are.
Vosotros sois más testarudos que ellos. <=> You are more stubborn that they are.
Él es más rico que ella. = He is richer than she is.
Él corre más rápido que ella. = He runs faster than she does.
Los perros viven más tiempo que los gatos. <=> Dogs live longer than cats.
Nosotros tenemos más dinero que Ustedes. = We have more money than you have.
En España hay más coches que en Inglaterra. = In Spain there are more cars than in England.
Ellos son más ricos que Ustedes. <=> They are richer than you are.
Vosotros sois más testarudos que ellos. <=> You are more stubborn that they are.
Él es más rico que ella. = He is richer than she is.
Él corre más rápido que ella. = He runs faster than she does.
Los perros viven más tiempo que los gatos. <=> Dogs live longer than cats.
Nosotros tenemos más dinero que Ustedes. = We have more money than you have.
En España hay más coches que en Inglaterra. = In Spain there are more cars than in England.
Él es menos grande que ella. <=> He is less tall than she is (he is not as tall as she is, he is smaller than she)
Ellos son menos ricos que Ustedes. <=> They are less rich than you (they are not as rich as you are, they are poorer than you are)
Vosotros sois menos testarudos que ellos.<=> You are less stubborn than they are (you are not as stubborn as they are, you are more understanding than they are)
Él es menos rico que ella. = He is less rich than she is (he is not as rich as she is, he is poorer than she is)
Él corre menos rápido que ella. = He runs less fast than she does (he doesn't run as fast as she does, he runs more slowly than she does)
Los perros viven menos tiempo que los gatos. <=> Dogs live less time than cats.
Nosotros tenemos menos dinero que Ustedes. = We have less money than you have.
En España hay menos coches que en Inglaterra. = In Spain are less cars than in England.
Ellos son menos ricos que Ustedes. <=> They are less rich than you (they are not as rich as you are, they are poorer than you are)
Vosotros sois menos testarudos que ellos.<=> You are less stubborn than they are (you are not as stubborn as they are, you are more understanding than they are)
Él es menos rico que ella. = He is less rich than she is (he is not as rich as she is, he is poorer than she is)
Él corre menos rápido que ella. = He runs less fast than she does (he doesn't run as fast as she does, he runs more slowly than she does)
Los perros viven menos tiempo que los gatos. <=> Dogs live less time than cats.
Nosotros tenemos menos dinero que Ustedes. = We have less money than you have.
En España hay menos coches que en Inglaterra. = In Spain are less cars than in England.
As it is easily to be seen the comparative is the same no matter whether it is a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
The superlative indicates the quantitative or qualitative superiority of one object in comparison to a reference group.
The reference group is to be mentioned!
He is the greatest (of all).
He runs the fastest among his group.
He is the richest man in town.
He runs the fastest among his group.
He is the richest man in town.
Es el hombre más rico de todos. = He is the richest of all.
Es el coche más rapido de la ciudad. = This is the fastest car in town.
Es la mujer más guapa que he visto jamás. = She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
Es el coche más rapido de la ciudad. = This is the fastest car in town.
Es la mujer más guapa que he visto jamás. = She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
De todos estos chicos él es el menos arrogante.
= Of all the boys he is the least arrogant.
= Of all the boys he is the least arrogant.
Is the superlative used without mentioning a reference group it is called elative. Just another name for something that looks quite the same. Point here is that it is used to emphasise something rather than compare.
Elative
His brother is the coolest!
His brother is very cool.
Mom is the greatest!
Mom is really great.
His brother is very cool.
Mom is the greatest!
Mom is really great.
In Spanish the superlative is only used to compare. Therefore the emphasis is put in other ways.
Ella es muy guapa. = She is very beautiful.
Vosotros sois muy gordos. = You are very big
Vosotros sois muy gordos. = You are very big
The elative can be formed with ísimo by taking the adjective ending -o/-a away and appending the ísimo. If the adjective ends on a consonant the ísimo is appended without changing the adjective. Again please remember that adjectives - no matter which ending - are changed according to the gender and number of the noun referred to. The ending puts an extra emphasis on the adjective - it can be translated with really very (or something similar).
Este coche es carísimo = This care is really very expensive.
Estos coches son carísimos = These cars are really very expensive.
Esta casa es carísima = This house is really expensive.
Estas casas son carísimas = These houses are really expensive.
Este ejercicio es dificilísimo = This exercise is really difficult.
Estos ejercicios son dificilísimos = These exercises are really difficult.
Estos coches son carísimos = These cars are really very expensive.
Esta casa es carísima = This house is really expensive.
Estas casas son carísimas = These houses are really expensive.
Este ejercicio es dificilísimo = This exercise is really difficult.
Estos ejercicios son dificilísimos = These exercises are really difficult.