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.'
Overview
less と lesser です。どちらも「より少ない」「より小さい」といったニュアンスを持っていますが、文法的な役割と、相手に与える印象が根本的に異なります。lessは、主に「量、程度、時間、距離」などが「より少ない」ことを表します。不可算名詞（水、お金、時間など）と一緒に使われるのが基本です。lesserは、「価値、重要性、地位、質」などが「より低い、劣っている」ことを表す形容詞です。
less と lesser の違いを理解するためには、まずそれぞれの「品詞（パーツとしての役割）」に注目するのが近道です。日本語にはない感覚も含まれますが、一つずつ紐解いていきましょう。less の役割：量と程度を測る万能選手less は little（少ない）の比較級です。主な役割は3つあります。- 限定詞（Determiner）として: 数えられない名詞（不可算名詞）の量を制限します。日本語の「（量が）もっと少ない〜」に当たります。
- 副詞（Adverb）として: 形容詞や副詞の度合いを弱めます。「〜ほどではない」というニュアンスです。
- 代名詞（Pronoun）として: 文脈から明らかな場合、「より少ない量」そのものを指します。
less がどの名詞にかかっているか、あるいはどの動作を修飾しているかが語順で決まります。特に不可算名詞とのセットは、英語特有のルールです。lesser の役割：価値とランクを決める形容詞lesser は常に「形容詞」として機能します。これは less よりも限定的な使い方です。重要なのは、これが 「二つのものを比較して、質や重要性が低い方」 を指すという点です。less | lesser |more (より多い) | greater (より偉大な/主要な) |less の基本パターン- 1
less+ [不可算名詞]
I have less money than I thought.（思っていたよりお金がない。）- 日本語では「お金」も数えられる気がしますが、英語では
moneyは不可算名詞なのでlessを使います。
- 1
less+ [形容詞/副詞]
This task is less urgent than that one.（このタスクはあのタスクほど緊急ではない。）urgent（緊急な）という程度の比較です。
- 1[動詞] +
less
You should work less and sleep more.（もっと働くのを減らして、もっと寝るべきだ。）- 働く「量」を減らすことを意味します。
lesser の基本パターン- 1
the/a lesser+ [名詞]
He is a lesser known artist.（彼は（他の有名な人に比べれば）あまり知られていない芸術家だ。）- 「知名度」という質の低さを表しています。
- 1
of lesser+ [抽象名詞]
The quality of this fabric is of lesser value.（この生地の質は、価値がより低い。）be of + 名詞の形で、性質を説明するフォーマルな表現です。
- 1慣用句：
the lesser of two evils
Choosing this candidate is the lesser of two evils.（この候補者を選ぶのは、二つの悪い選択肢のうち、まだマシな方（より悪くない方）だ。）- これは非常に有名なフレーズで、日常会話でも政治の話題などでもよく使われます。
less を使うべき場面- コンビニやレストランで:
Could you give me less rice?（ご飯を少なめにしてもらえますか？） - 仕事の効率について:
We need to spend less time on meetings.（会議にかける時間を減らす必要がある。） - 価格や数値の比較:
The repair cost less than 10,000 yen.（修理代は1万円以下だった。） - ※
less thanは数値（時間、距離、金額）と非常によく馴染みます。これらは「量」として捉えられるからです。
lesser を使うべき場面- 優先順位をつけるとき:
We should ignore lesser problems for now.（今は重要度の低い問題は無視すべきだ。） - 役職や地位の比較:
A lesser official was sent to the meeting.（格下の役人が会議に派遣された。） - 文学や芸術の評価:
This is one of his lesser works.（これは彼の作品の中では、あまり評価されていない（主要でない）ものの一つだ。）
less problem と言うと「問題の量（回数など）」が少ないという意味に聞こえますが、lesser problem と言うと「その問題の重要度が低い」という意味になります。日本語の「小さい問題」という言葉には両方の意味が含まれますが、英語では明確に分かれるのです。less と fewer の混同- 間違い:
There are less people in the office today. - 正解:
There are fewer people in the office today.
people は数えられる名詞（可算名詞）なので、本来は fewer を使うのが文法的な正解です。ただし、現代英語の口語（特に「10 items or less」のような看板）では less が使われることも増えていますが、ビジネス文書や試験では fewer を使うようにしましょう。lesser を使ってしまうlesser を使ってしまうパターンです。- 間違い:
I want a lesser amount of sugar. - 正解:
I want less sugar.またはa smaller amount of sugar.
lesser は「質・重要性」に特化した言葉です。単なる「分量」を言いたい場合は less か smaller を使いましょう。lesser amount と言うと、まるでその砂糖の「品質」が悪いかのような奇妙なニュアンスを与えてしまうことがあります。lesser を副詞として使ってしまうless は副詞になれますが、lesser はなれません。- 間違い:
This laptop works lesser efficiently. - 正解:
This laptop works less efficiently.
less です。lesser は名詞を修飾する形容詞としてしか使えないことを覚えておきましょう。less と lesser の立ち位置がより明確になります。less vs fewer | 不可算（量）か可算（数）か | less water vs fewer bottles |lesser vs smaller | 抽象的な重要性か、物理的なサイズか | lesser importance vs smaller box |less vs lower | 量・程度か、位置・数値の低さか | less noise vs lower price / lower rank |smaller と lesser の違いは重要です。物理的な大きさ（スマホのサイズ、部屋の広さなど）を比べる時は必ず smaller を使います。lesser はあくまで「価値やランク」という目に見えない指標に使われることが多いです。lesser は日常会話であまり聞きませんが、使わなくても大丈夫ですか？less important や not as good といった簡単な表現で代用可能です。しかし、契約書を読んだり、ニュースを聞いたり、あるいは「二つの選択肢のうちマシな方」という慣用句（the lesser of two evils）を使いたい時には必須の知識となります。中級者（B1）から上級者へステップアップするには、この「質の比較」という概念を持っておくことが大切です。10 items or fewer が正解です。なぜなら items は数えられるからです。しかし、実際の生活（Descriptive grammar）では、この表現は完全に定着しており、ネイティブスピーカーも日常的に使います。ただし、あなたが英語のレポートを書くときは fewer を使うのが無難です。lesser の反対語は何ですか？greater です。例えば a lesser power（小国）に対して a greater power（大国）といった具合です。また、重要性の文脈では major（主要な）の反対として使われることもあります。less を使って「〜以下」と言いたい時はどうすればいいですか？less than [数値] を使います。例えば less than 5 minutes（5分未満）です。日本語の「以下」は通常その数字を含みますが、英語の less than はその数字を含まない「未満」の意味になることが多いので注意してください。もし「5分以内（5分を含む）」と言いたい場合は 5 minutes or less と表現します。less と lesser の違いは、突き詰めれば「量」を測るのか「価値」を測るのかという、私たちの視点の違いにあります。最初は迷うかもしれませんが、まずは「数えられないものには less」、「重要度やランクを比べるなら lesser」という基本ルールを意識して使ってみてください。これだけで、あなたの英語はぐっと正確で自然なものになりますよ！頑張りましょう（頑張ってくださいね）！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
| 特徴 | `Less` | `Lesser` |
|---|---|---|
|
品詞
|
限定詞、副詞、代名詞
|
形容詞
|
|
主な意味
|
より少ない量や程度
|
重要度、質、地位が低い
|
|
一緒に使う言葉
|
数えられない名詞 (time, water)
|
抽象的な名詞 (evil, artist)
|
|
反対語
|
More
|
Greater
|
|
例文
|
I need to spend `less` money.
|
This is a `lesser` problem.
|
|
定番フレーズ
|
`less` than zero
|
`the lesser` of two evils
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
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)
Less と Lesser のマッピング
Less
- 量 How much
- 数えられない time, water
- 反対語: More
Lesser
- 質 / 重要度 How good / significant
- 形容詞 a lesser evil
- 反対語: Greater
一目でわかる Less と Lesser
どっちを使うべき？
数えられないものの「量」について話していますか？
質、重要度、ランクが「低い」ことについて話していますか？
コンテキスト別のカテゴリー
Less を使うもの...
- • 時間
- • お金
- • 交通量
- • 熱意
- • 騒音
Lesser を使うもの...
- • 悪（evils）
- • 無名の芸術家
- • 優先順位
- • 品質
- • 役割
レベル別の例文
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.
間違えやすい
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.
よくある間違い
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.
文型パターン
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.
数えられない名詞のテスト
I need some less advice.
Lesserを「量」に使わないで！
I have less work.
Fewer vs Less の論争
There are less people today.
Lesser は少しフォーマル
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.
発音
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.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Less is for 'Mess' (uncountable things like sand or water). Lesser is for 'Lesser-known' (quality or fame).
視覚的連想
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.
Word Web
チャレンジ
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.
文化メモ
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).
会話のきっかけ
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?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
I wish I had ___ worries and more free time.
正しい文を選んでください：
Find and fix the mistake:
Of the two job offers, this one has a lesser salary but better benefits.
Score: /3
練習問題
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.
正しい文はどれですか？
We had to choose the less of two evils when we made our decision.
This brand is considered a ___ competitor in the market.
「プランBは、より質の低い選択肢です」を英語にしてください。
単語を並べ替えて文を作ってください：
単語とその主な役割を組み合わせてください：
正しい文を選んでください：
He's a great guitarist, but a ___ singer.
Could you please give me a lesser amount of rice?
「2人のうち、彼は才能の劣る詩人だ」を英語にしてください。
The boss is ___ concerned with daily reports than with overall profit.
単語を並べ替えて質問を作ってください：
Score: /13
よくある質問 (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
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LessとFewerの使い分け（Lesserのニュアンスも解説）
Hapa 英会話
中級者向け！間違えやすい形容詞比較級
AK-English
【比較級】less と fewer の違い、知ってる？
Hapa 英会話
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