Why is "el más menor" for "youngest brother" marked wrong?

Barbara F.C1Kwiziq community member

Why is "el más menor" for "youngest brother" marked wrong?


Asked 11 months ago
David L.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I think it's because 'el menor' is a superlative which means 'the youngest'.

If you say 'el más menor' it's like saying in English 'the most youngest' ... a sort of double superlative which doesn't sound right.

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Barbara

As David correctly explained, "menor" has the "more/most" meaning implicit, so you don't need to say it. The same goes for "mayor" meaning older/oldest. You wouldn't say "Antonio es el más mayor", but "Antonio es el mayor." (Antonio is the oldest.)

Saludos

Inma

Barbara F. asked:

Why is "el más menor" for "youngest brother" marked wrong?


Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Let me take a look at that...