What does menos in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word menos in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use menos in Spanish.

The word menos in Spanish means less, except, minus, minus, fewer, less than, unless, as far as, at least, at least for now, a lot less, less and less, cost less, when you least expect it, the more, underestimate yourself, missing, gone, from lowest to highest, of little or no value, anything but, anything but, anything but, insult, miss, notice is missing, when you least expect it, anybody, anyone, the chances are, unexpectedly, in less than, in a jiffy, in just under [+ time period], there be fewer and fewer, be doing worse, increase, heighten, improve, the least of your worries, the best, as little as possible, more or less, less is more, it's a good thing, less than, much less, a lot less, nothing but, no more, no less, no more, no less, by a long shot, not underestimate yourself, not less than, no less than, no wonder, around, at least, me neither, everybody, everybody, be the least of your worries, not be anything, be nothing, pros and cons, I love you way more than I did yesterday, even less, everything except that, anything but that, bad habits are contagious, there's a solution for everything but death, fallen, go down, and a lot less, much less to. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word menos

less

adverbio (menor cantidad)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Las peras cuestan menos en el otro supermercado.

Pears cost less in the other grocery store.

except

preposición (excepto)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Me gustan todas las frutas menos las fresas.

I love all fruit except strawberries.

minus

nombre masculino (signo de sustracción)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Seis menos dos es igual a cuatro.

Six minus two equals four.

minus

adverbio (cantidad: valor negativo)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

La temperatura es de menos quince grados centígrados.

The temperature is minus fifteen degrees Celsius.

fewer

adjetivo (menor cantidad)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Menos personas viajarán en avión este año.

Fewer people will fly this year.

less than

locución preposicional (a menor distancia) (distance)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Mario vive a menos de tres cuadras del colegio.

Mario lives less than three blocks from the school.

unless

locución conjuntiva (a no ser que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Tu hermana seguirá enfadada contigo a menos que te disculpes con ella.

Your sister will stay angry at you unless you apologize.

as far as

locución conjuntiva (expresa excepción)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

No ha llegado el tren, al menos que yo sepa.

The train hasn't arrived, as far as I know.

at least

locución adverbial (como mínimo)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

A la boda asistieron al menos cien personas.

At least a hundred guests were present at the wedding.

at least for now

locución adverbial (siquiera entre tanto)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Están satisfechos con la decisión, al menos por ahora.

At least for now they are happy with the decision.

a lot less

expresión (mucho menos) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

less and less

locución adverbial (disminuyendo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

El frío se siente cada vez menos por suerte.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. There are fewer and fewer landlines due to the popularity and convenience of mobile phones.

cost less

expresión (ser más barato)

when you least expect it

expresión (de forma inesperada)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cuando menos lo esperes, conseguirás un amor.

You'll find love when you least expect it.

the more

locución adverbial (expresa proporción) (extent)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Cuanto más pidas, menos te darán.

The more you ask for, the less you will be given.

underestimate yourself

locución verbal (menospreciarse)

(transitive verb and reflexive pronoun: Transitive verb with reflexive pronoun--for example, "Enjoy yourself." "They behaved themselves.")

Eres hermosa e inteligente, no te des por menos.

missing, gone

locución adjetiva (faltante)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Revisé la cuenta y hay 100 dólares de menos.

I checked the account and there are 100 dollars missing.

from lowest to highest

locución adverbial (en progreso) (scale)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Con la práctica, su desempeño fue de menos a más.

With practice his performance went from lowest to highest.

of little or no value

locución adjetiva (arcaico (de poco valor)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Se consideraba a la clase media como negociantes de poco más o menos.

anything but

expresión (denota ironía)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Fui a todas las librerías de la ciudad y venden de todo menos libros.

I went to all the bookshops in town, and they sell anything but books.

anything but

expresión (denota ironía)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Una hija puede hablar con su padre de todo menos de sexo.

A daughter can talk with her father about anything but sex.

anything but

expresión (excepto por)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ese anticuario vende de todo menos estiletes antiguos.

That antique shop sells anything but antique stilettos.

insult

expresión (figurado (insultar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

miss

locución verbal (sufrir por la falta de)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Diana echa de menos a su hijo, que se mudó a Bolivia. Echo de menos esas tardes frente al mar.

I really miss those afternoons by the sea.

notice is missing

locución verbal (notar la ausencia de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cuando pensé en llamar a mi hermana, eché de menos mi teléfono.

As I went to call my sister I noticed my phone was missing.

when you least expect it

locución adverbial (informal (en cualquier momento)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

anybody, anyone

expresión (cualquier persona)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

El que más y el que menos puede hacer eso.

the chances are

locución adverbial (CR, coloquial (probablemente)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

En la de menos, pierdes la prueba por no estudiar.

unexpectedly

locución adverbial (CR, coloquial (inesperadamente)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Llegó en la de menos, y yo quedé sorprendido.

in less than

locución preposicional (en menor tiempo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Luis piensa terminar su libro en menos de un mes.

Luis thinks he can finish his book in less than one month.

in a jiffy

locución adverbial (coloquial (en un momento)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Espera, en menos que canta un gallo te darán respuesta.

in just under [+ time period]

locución adverbial (lapso: antes de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

En poco menos de dos semanas cumpliré 18 años.

there be fewer and fewer

locución verbal (estar disminuyendo) (countable)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Hay cada vez menos recursos en el mundo.

There are fewer and fewer resources in the world.

be doing worse

locución verbal (decaer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La empresa va a menos desde que empezó la recesión.

The company has been doing worse since the recession hit.

increase, heighten

locución verbal (desarrollarse)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

La pasión que sentían fue de menos a más.

The passion that they felt increased.

improve

locución verbal (mejorar)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Las ventas de este mes van de menos a más.

Sales for this month are improving.

the least of your worries

locución nominal masculina (lo menos grave) (concerns, anxiety)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Con tal de que mi hijo venga a verme, lo de menos es que llegue tarde.

As long as my son comes to see me, his being late is the least of my worries.

the best

expresión (el menor de los males)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Conviene ver lo menos malo en todas las situaciones.

It's good to see the best in all situations.

as little as possible

expresión (lo mínimo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

A Juan le gusta trabajar lo menos posible.

Juan likes to work as little as possible.

more or less

locución adverbial (aproximadamente)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Vinieron más o menos 50 personas a la fiesta.

More or less fifty people came to the party.

less is more

expresión (sobriedad, austeridad)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

En cuestión de elegancia, menos es más.

When it comes to elegance, less is more.

it's a good thing

interjección (qué alivio)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Menos mal que llegamos a tiempo.

It's a good thing we arrived on time.

less than

locución conjuntiva (comparativo: inferioridad)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Paco es menos guapo que José.

Paco is less handsome than José.

much less, a lot less

locución adjetiva (cuantificador superlativo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tienes que comer mucho menos si quieres perder peso.

You need to eat much less if you want to lose weight.

nothing but

expresión (exactamente)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Saqué un diez en Historia; nada más y nada menos.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. I got nothing but straight A's in class.

no more, no less

locución adjetiva (coloquial (expresa énfasis)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Todos somos iguales, nadie es ni más ni menos que los demás.

no more, no less

locución adverbial (precisamente)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

En esa empresa todos ganan ni más ni menos que lo que se merecen.

by a long shot

locución adverbial (enfatiza una negación) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ese no es ni mucho menos su mejor libro.

This is not his best book by a long shot.

not underestimate yourself

locución verbal (no creerse menos)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tú eres tan capaz como tu novio, pero él se tiene confianza y no se da por menos.

You are just as capable as your boyfriend, but he has confidence and doesn't underestimate himself.

not less than, no less than

expresión (por encima de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

no wonder

locución verbal (ser de importancia)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Jerónimo está preocupado y no es para menos: su trabajo de cirujano es difícil.

Jerónimo is worried and no wonder: his job as a surgeon is tough.

around

locución adverbial (casi, alrededor de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Eran poco más o menos las tres de la tarde.

at least

locución adverbial (siquiera, tan sólo)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

¡Por lo menos podrías pasar a saludar!

You could at least go by and say hello.

me neither

expresión (si tú no, yo tampoco)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

"Yo no quiero ir". "Pues yo menos".

"I don't want to go." "Me neither."

everybody

locución pronominal (todos, sin excepción)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Quién más, quién menos ha cometido errores.

Everybody has made mistakes.

everybody

locución pronominal (casi todos)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Quién más, quién menos canta en la ducha.

Everybody sings in the shower.

be the least of your worries

locución verbal (ser lo menos grave)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El alcalde cree que los problemas de seguridad de la ciudad son lo de menos.

The mayor believes that the security problems are the least of our worries.

not be anything, be nothing

locución verbal (cortesía (favor, atención)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

No me des las gracias; ha sido lo de menos.

Don't thank me, it was nothing.

pros and cons

expresión (coloquial (desventajas)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

Vivir en el campo tiene sus más y sus menos.

I love you way more than I did yesterday

expresión (amor: denota énfasis)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Te quiero mucho más que ayer; no concibo mi vida sin ti.

I love you way more than I did yesterday; I can't conceive of living without you.

even less

locución adverbial (aún menos)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Mariana ayuda muy poco con las labores del hogar, y su hermano, todavía menos.

Mariana helps very little with household chores, and her brother, even less.

everything except that, anything but that

expresión (para nada, en absoluto)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

—¿Por qué me gritas? ¿Ya no me quieres? —Todo menos eso; te grito porque quiero que seas mejor.

- Why are you screaming at me? Don't you love me anymore? -Anything but that; I'm screaming because I want you to be better.

bad habits are contagious

expresión (lo bueno no se pega)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Desde que Miguel se volvió amigo de Carlos, le va mal en la escuela y no quiere hacer deporte: todo se pega menos la hermosura.

there's a solution for everything but death

expresión (todo puede arreglarse)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

La familia tiene muchas deudas, pero todo tiene solución menos la muerte.

The family has many debts, but there's a solution for everything but death.

fallen

locución adjetiva (con situación empeorada)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Se cree que esta sociedad venida a menos dejó de existir en el siglo V.

It is believed that this fallen society ceased to exist in the fifth century.

go down

locución verbal (empeorar en situación)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Las condiciones laborales en la fábrica vinieron a menos con el cambio de administración.

The working conditions in the factory went down with the change of administration.

and a lot less

(cuantificador superlativo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Está enfermo y mucho menos fuerte que antes.

He's ill and a lot less strong than before.

much less to

(cuantificador superlativo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

No vine a pedirte nada y mucho menos a rogarte.

I didn't come to ask you for anything, much less to beg.

Let's learn Spanish

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