Less در مقابل Lesser: تفاوت چیست؟
less درباره مقداره (چقدر؟)، ولی lesser درباره کیفیت و اهمیته (چقدر خوب یا مهم؟).
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'less' for smaller amounts of uncountable things and 'lesser' for things that are lower in quality, importance, or status.
- Use 'less' for uncountable nouns like water or time: 'I have less time today.'
- Use 'lesser' as an adjective meaning 'not as great': 'He is a lesser known actor.'
- Use 'less' as an adverb to modify adjectives: 'This car is less expensive.'
مرور کلی
less و lesser یکی از این موارد است که بسیاری از زبانآموزان ایرانی را دچار سردرگمی میکند. اگرچه هر دو کلمه ریشهای مشابه در زبان انگلیسی باستان دارند و هر دو با مفهوم «کمی» مرتبط هستند، اما در انگلیسی مدرن، مسیرهای کاملاً متفاوتی را طی کردهاند.less به کمیت و مقدار اشاره دارد و پاسخگوی سؤال «چقدر؟» است، در حالی که lesser یک صفت است که به کیفیت، اهمیت یا رتبه اشاره دارد و پاسخگوی سؤال «کدام یک (از نظر ارزش)؟» است. تسلط بر این تفاوت، گامی بزرگ برای عبور از سطح متوسط و رسیدن به دقت در بیان است. در این متن، ما با نگاهی دقیق به ساختار هر دو کلمه، به شما کمک میکنیم تا در محیطهای آکادمیک، کاری و حتی گفتگوهای روزمره، این دو را به درستی به کار ببرید.less و lesser در نقش دستوری آنها نهفته است. less یک کلمه چندمنظوره است که میتواند به عنوان تعیینکننده (determiner)، قید (adverb) یا ضمیر (pronoun) عمل کند. در مقابل، lesser تنها و تنها یک صفت (adjective) است.less (کمیت و کاهش درجه):less شکل تفضیلی (comparative) صفت و قید little است.- 1به عنوان تعیینکننده: برای اسامی غیرقابلشمارش (uncountable nouns) استفاده میشود. مثلاً
time(زمان)،energy(انرژی) یاmoney(پول). در فارسی، ما برای اینها از «کمتر» استفاده میکنیم که معادل مستقیمlessاست.
I have less time. (من وقت کمتری دارم).- 1به عنوان قید: برای کاهش شدت یک صفت یا قید دیگر استفاده میشود.
It is less interesting. (این کمتر جذاب است).lesser (کیفیت و رتبه):lesser همیشه یک صفت است و برای نشان دادن «پستتر بودن» یا «اهمیت کمتر» به کار میرود. این کلمه هرگز برای اندازهگیری مقدار استفاده نمیشود.a lesser-known author (نویسندهای که کمتر شناخته شده است - یعنی شهرت کمتری دارد، نه اینکه مقدار فیزیکی کمی دارد).less water |less expensive |lesser evil |lesser-known place |lesser یا ساختارهای دیگر استفاده کرد.less زمانی استفاده کنید که میخواهید درباره «اندازه» یا «مقدار» صحبت کنید. اگر در یک کافه در تهران هستید و میخواهید به باریستا بگویید شکر کمتری در نوشیدنی شما بریزد، میگویید: Please add less sugar. اینجا چون شکر غیرقابلشمارش است، less کاملاً درست است.lesser زمانی استفاده کنید که در حال مقایسه ارزش یا رتبه هستید. مثلاً در محیط دانشگاه، اگر درباره دو نظریه صحبت میکنید و یکی از آنها اهمیت کمتری دارد، میگویید: The lesser theory. همچنین در اصطلاح معروف the lesser of two evils (بدِ خوبتر در میان دو بد)، همیشه از lesser استفاده میشود، چون صحبت از انتخاب بین دو کیفیتِ بد است، نه مقدارِ فیزیکی.- 1اشتباه گرفتن
lessباfewer: این رایجترین اشتباه است. فارسیزبانان چون در فارسی برای همه چیز «کمتر» میگویند، فکر میکنندlessبرای همه چیز است. اما برای اسامی قابلشمارش (مثل کتاب، آدم، ماشین) باید ازfewerاستفاده کرد.
- غلط:
less people - درست:
fewer people
- 1استفاده از
lesserبرای مقدار: برخی فکر میکنند چونlesserطولانیتر است، پس رسمیتر است و آن را برای همه جا به کار میبرند.
- غلط:
I have lesser money. - درست:
I have less money.
- 1ترجمه تحتاللفظی: فارسیزبانان به دلیل ساختار SOV، ممکن است در جایگذاری صفت
lesserدچار مشکل شوند. در انگلیسی صفت قبل از اسم میآید (a lesser role)، اما در فارسی صفت بعد از اسم میآید («نقشی پستتر»). این تداخل زبانی باعث میشود گاهی جایگاه صفت را در جمله انگلیسی اشتباه کنند.
- 1آیا میتوانم به جای
fewerازlessاستفاده کنم؟
fewer برای اسامی قابلشمارش استفاده کنید.- 1آیا
lesserهمیشه قبل از اسم میآید؟
the lesser of... هم استفاده شود.- 1تفاوت
lesserباsmallerچیست؟
smaller به اندازه فیزیکی اشاره دارد (مثلاً سایز لباس)، اما lesser به اهمیت یا رتبه (انتزاعی) اشاره دارد.Comparatives of 'Little'
| Base Form | Comparative (Quantity) | Comparative (Quality/Rank) | Superlative |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Little
|
Less
|
Lesser
|
Least
|
Meanings
Both words are comparatives of 'little,' but 'less' usually refers to quantity or degree, while 'lesser' refers to quality, value, or importance.
Quantity (Determiner)
A smaller amount of something uncountable.
“We need less noise in the library.”
“There is less sugar in this soda.”
Degree (Adverb)
To a smaller extent or degree.
“This task is less difficult than the last one.”
“I am less worried now.”
Quality/Importance (Adjective)
Not as great in size, quality, or significance.
“The lesser of two evils.”
“A lesser degree of certainty.”
Reference Table
| ویژگی | Less | Lesser |
|---|---|---|
|
نقش در جمله
|
تعیینگر، قید، ضمیر
|
صفت
|
|
معنای اصلی
|
مقدار یا درجه کمتر
|
پایینتر از نظر اهمیت یا کیفیت
|
|
کاربرد با
|
اسمهای غیرقابلشمارش (وقت، استرس)
|
اسمها (شر کمتر، هنرمند گمنامتر)
|
|
متضاد
|
More
|
Greater
|
|
مثال
|
I need to spend less money.
|
This is a lesser problem now.
|
|
عبارت رایج
|
less than zero
|
the lesser of two evils
|
طیف رسمیت
The individual possesses a lesser amount of capital. (financial status)
He has less money. (financial status)
He's got less cash. (financial status)
He's short on dough. (financial status)
نقشه تفاوت Less و Lesser
Less
- مقدار How much
- غیرقابلشمارش time, water
- متضاد: More
Lesser
- کیفیت / اهمیت How good / significant
- صفت a lesser evil
- متضاد: Greater
نگاه سریع به Less و Lesser
کدوم رو انتخاب کنم؟
داری درباره مقدار چیزی حرف میزنی که نمیشه شمردش؟
داری درباره کیفیت پایینتر یا اهمیت کمتر حرف میزنی؟
دستهبندی کاربردها
Less رو برای اینها استفاده کن...
- • زمان
- • پول
- • ترافیک
- • اشتیاق
- • سر و صدا
Lesser رو برای اینها استفاده کن...
- • شر و بدی
- • هنرمندان گمنام
- • اولویتها
- • کیفیت
- • نقشها
مثالها بر اساس سطح
I drink less coffee now.
I drink less coffee now.
Please give me less rice.
Please give me less rice.
It is less hot today.
It is less hot today.
I have less money than you.
I have less money than you.
This movie is less funny than the first one.
This movie is less funny than the first one.
We have less homework this week.
We have less homework this week.
He is less tall than his father.
He is less tall than his father.
There is less water in the bottle.
There is less water in the bottle.
I chose the lesser of two evils.
I chose the lesser of two evils.
The new model is less efficient than expected.
The new model is less efficient than expected.
He is a lesser known author in this country.
He is a lesser known author in this country.
You should spend less time on your phone.
You should spend less time on your phone.
The impact was of a lesser magnitude than predicted.
The impact was of a lesser magnitude than predicted.
She was no less surprised than I was.
She was no less surprised than I was.
A lesser man would have given up by now.
A lesser man would have given up by now.
The project requires less effort but more focus.
The project requires less effort but more focus.
The defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
The defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
The poem explores the lesser-traveled paths of the mind.
The poem explores the lesser-traveled paths of the mind.
He is a lesser light in the world of physics.
He is a lesser light in the world of physics.
The results were less than satisfactory.
The results were less than satisfactory.
To suggest otherwise would be to do him a lesser service.
To suggest otherwise would be to do him a lesser service.
The lesser-spotted eagle is a rare sight in these parts.
The lesser-spotted eagle is a rare sight in these parts.
It was a conflict of lesser importance in the grand scheme of the war.
It was a conflict of lesser importance in the grand scheme of the war.
The nuances are less easily discerned by the untrained eye.
The nuances are less easily discerned by the untrained eye.
بهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
Learners often use 'less' for everything because it's easier.
Both can describe quality or position.
Both describe size, but 'lesser' is more about importance.
اشتباهات رایج
I have lesser water.
I have less water.
He is lesser happy.
He is less happy.
Less people came.
Fewer people came.
I want more lesser.
I want less.
This is a less crime.
This is a lesser crime.
I have lesser time.
I have less time.
It is lesser expensive.
It is less expensive.
The lesser of two amounts.
The smaller of two amounts.
He is a less known actor.
He is a lesser-known actor.
I feel lesser tired.
I feel less tired.
The lesser quantity of the two.
The smaller quantity of the two.
A less included offense.
A lesser included offense.
الگوهای جملهسازی
I have less ___ than I used to.
It was the lesser of two ___.
This is a lesser-known ___.
The ___ is less ___ than the ___.
Real World Usage
I have less battery than I thought, talk later!
I am looking for a role with no less than three weeks of vacation.
Can I get a latte with less foam, please?
The sequel is a lesser movie, but the soundtrack is fire.
The party of the second part shall be held to a lesser standard of liability.
We should take the lesser-known path to avoid the crowds.
تست غیرقابلشمارشها
I need less advice today.
با Lesser عدد و رقم نگو!
lesser work، چون درستش اینه: I have less work.
دعوای Fewer و Less
less people.کلاس گذاشتن با Lesser
the lesser of two evils.
Smart Tips
Always use 'the lesser of two evils.' It sounds native and sophisticated.
Never use 'lesser.' Use 'less.'
Use 'lesser-known' instead of 'less famous' for a more professional tone.
Try replacing it with 'inferior.' If it works, 'lesser' is probably correct.
تلفظ
Less
Rhymes with 'mess' or 'dress'. Short 'e' sound.
Lesser
Two syllables. The first is 'less', the second is a neutral 'er' (schwa).
Emphasis on 'Less'
I want LESS sugar, not more!
Correcting a quantity.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Less is for 'Mess' (uncountable things like sand or water). Lesser is for 'Lesser-known' (quality or fame).
تداعی تصویری
Imagine a measuring cup for 'Less' (quantity) and a gold, silver, and bronze podium for 'Lesser' (rank/importance).
Rhyme
Less for the amount you pour, Lesser for the rank and score.
Story
A king had two sons. The first son had less gold (quantity), but the second son was a lesser prince (rank) because he didn't help the people.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Write three sentences: one about having less of a drink, one about a movie being less exciting, and one about a lesser-known hobby you have.
نکات فرهنگی
In university essays, using 'lesser' to describe secondary theories or minor figures shows a high level of academic literacy.
The term 'lesser offense' is a standard legal term used when a jury can convict someone of a smaller crime if the main one isn't proven.
British English speakers may use 'lesser' more frequently in formal speech than American speakers, who often stick to 'less' or 'lower'.
Both words come from the Old English 'læs' (less) and 'læssa' (lesser).
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
Do you think people should spend less time on social media?
If you had to choose the lesser of two evils—no internet or no phone—which would it be?
Who is a lesser-known artist that you think everyone should listen to?
In your job, which tasks are of lesser importance but take up the most time?
موضوعات نگارش
اشتباهات رایج
Test Yourself
I wish I had ___ worries and more free time.
Choose the correct sentence:
Of the two job offers, this one has a lesser salary but better benefits.
Score: /3
تمرینهای عملی
8 exercisesI have ___ money in my bank account than last month.
He is a ___ known actor, but he is very talented.
Find and fix the mistake:
This task is lesser difficult than the one we did yesterday.
1. ___ water, 2. ___ of two evils, 3. ___ expensive
This phone is not as expensive as that one.
The court decided on a ___ charge.
You can use 'lesser' to modify an adjective like 'happy' or 'fast'.
A: Do you want more sugar? B: No thanks, I'm trying to eat ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesHe's a famous actor now, but he started his career in ___ known productions.
کدوم جمله درسته؟
We had to choose the less of two evils when we made our decision.
This brand is considered a ___ competitor in the market.
ترجمه کن به انگلیسی: 'نقشه B گزینه ضعیفتری (از نظر کیفیت) است.'
کلمات رو مرتب کن:
هر کلمه رو به کاربردش وصل کن:
کدوم جمله از نظر گرامر رسمی درسته؟
He's a great guitarist, but a ___ singer.
Could you please give me a lesser amount of rice?
ترجمه کن: 'از بین آن دو، او شاعر کماهمیتتری (ضعیفتری) است.'
The boss is ___ concerned with daily reports than with overall profit.
این کلمات رو مرتب کن تا سوال ساخته بشه:
Score: /13
سوالات متداول (8)
Only if you mean 'less important.' If you mean physical size, use `smaller`. For example, a `smaller house` is about size, but a `lesser house` (rare) would mean a house of lower social status.
Yes, `lesser` is almost always found in formal, literary, or legal contexts. In daily speech, we usually use `less` or `not as good`.
This is a common change in modern English. While `fewer` is technically correct for countable nouns, `less` is very common in casual speech (e.g., 'There are less people here').
It's an idiom meaning that you have two bad options, and you are choosing the one that is slightly better (or 'less bad').
No. `Lesser` is only an adjective. You cannot say 'He ran lesser fast.' You must say 'He ran less fast.'
They are very similar! In many cases, you can replace `lesser` with `minor`, such as 'a minor/lesser role in a play.'
Use `least` when comparing three or more things. 'This is the least expensive of the three.' `Less` and `lesser` are only for comparing two things.
It is usually hyphenated when it comes before a noun, like 'a lesser-known fact.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
menos
English splits 'menos' into three distinct categories: countable, uncountable, and qualitative.
moins / moindre
The usage of 'moindre' is very close to 'lesser', making this easier for French speakers.
weniger / geringer
The distinction is very similar to English, though 'weniger' is often used for countable items too.
少ない (sukunai) / より少ない (yori sukunai)
Japanese relies on context and specific adjectives like 'kashu' (lower rank) for 'lesser'.
أقل (aqall)
One word covers all three English concepts.
更少 (gèng shǎo) / 次要 (cì yào)
Chinese uses a completely different word for the qualitative 'lesser'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
ویدیوهای مرتبط
Related Grammar Rules
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