Spanish word

menor

Pronunciation

IPA/meˈnoɾ/

Meaning

  • adjectiveyounger

Example

Ella es menor que yo.

She is younger than me.

Illustration for menor (younger)

More examples

Mi prima es menor pero ya trabaja.

My cousin is younger but already works.

Core concept

A younger sibling standing beside an older sibling.

Common phrases

  • hijo menor

    younger son

  • ser menor de edad

    be underage

Similar words

mayor: Is older in years than another person.
joven: Is of a young age.
adolescente: Is in the adolescent or teenage years.
adulto: Is an adult by age.

Definition in Spanish

Que tiene menos edad que otra persona.

Word origin

Derived from Latin minor 'smaller', the comparative form that in Spanish extends from size to age and thus expresses 'younger'.

Usage tips

  • Although it resembles English 'minor', Spanish 'menor' commonly refers to being younger and also appears as a noun (un menor) in legal contexts to mean a person under the legal age.

Other meanings

  • minornoun
  • smalleradjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word