A1 Morphology 14 min read Easy

Saying 'Better' (Not Mais Bom!)

Just like 'good' becomes 'better' in English, 'bom' always becomes 'melhor' in Portuguese.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Never say 'mais bom'; use 'melhor' instead to describe something of higher quality.

  • Use 'melhor' for 'better' (singular). Example: Este livro é melhor.
  • Use 'melhores' for 'better' (plural). Example: Estes livros são melhores.
  • Never combine 'mais' with 'bom'. It is grammatically incorrect.
Bom + Comparative = Melhor

Overview

When you begin comparing things in Portuguese, a crucial distinction emerges immediately: how you express "better." Unlike many adjectives that form their comparative by simply adding mais (more), the adjective bom (good) follows an irregular path, much like its English counterpart. You wouldn't say "more good" in English; you say "better." Similarly, in Portuguese, you do not use mais bom. Instead, you use the single, irregular word melhor.

This irregularity stems from the historical development of the Portuguese language from Latin. Understanding this core principle from the outset is fundamental. It not only prevents a common and easily identifiable beginner error but also sets the stage for comprehending other irregular comparatives you will encounter.

Mastering melhor early ensures your comparisons sound natural and grammatically correct, even at the A1 level. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of melhor, covering its formation, usage, common pitfalls, and integration into everyday conversation.

How This Grammar Works

Portuguese comparatives generally involve placing mais before an adjective (e.g., caro (expensive) becomes mais caro (more expensive)). However, bom bypasses this standard construction. Its comparative form, melhor, is a direct descendant of the Latin meliorem, which already carried the meaning of "better." This historical linguistic lineage explains why it remains an irregular comparative today, resisting the modern mais + adjective pattern.
Melhor functions as both an adjective and an adverb, adapting its role based on what it modifies. As an adjective, it describes nouns, indicating superior quality or suitability. As an adverb, it modifies verbs, describing a superior manner of action.
This versatility makes melhor an exceptionally useful word, but also a source of potential confusion if its dual nature isn't understood. The context will always clarify whether it refers to a noun's quality or a verb's action.
Furthermore, melhor is gender-invariant in its singular form. Whether you are discussing a masculine noun (o livro) or a feminine noun (a caneta), melhor remains unchanged. You do not create a form like melhora or melhó.
However, melhor does agree in number with the noun it modifies. If you are comparing multiple items, melhor becomes melhores (plural). This simple agreement rule is vital for sounding natural and distinguishing between singular and plural comparisons.
This singular form also serves as the base for the superlative form "the best" when preceded by a definite article (o, a, os, as).

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of comparative sentences using melhor replaces the regular mais bom structure entirely. The fundamental pattern involves using melhor or melhores to express superiority, followed by a connector (que or do que) to introduce the item being compared against. This simplicity masks a powerful grammatical concept, as melhor inherently conveys the comparative meaning without additional words.
2
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to construct sentences with melhor:
3
Identify the Adjective/Adverb You Want to Compare: You are comparing something that is bom (good) or done bem (well).
4
Substitute with melhor (or melhores): Directly replace bom or bem (in their comparative context) with melhor or melhores.
5
Ensure Number Agreement: If the subject being described as "better" is plural, melhor must become melhores. If it is singular, it remains melhor.
6
Connect the Comparison: Use que or do que to link the first element of the comparison to the second.
7
Basic Comparative Structure:
8
| Structure | Example (Singular) | Example (Plural) |
9
| :--------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
10
| [Noun 1] + ser/estar + melhor + que/do que + [Noun 2] | Este livro é melhor que aquele. (This book is better than that one.) | Estes livros são melhores que aqueles. (These books are better than those ones.) |
11
| [Verb] + melhor + que/do que + [Verb Phrase] | Ela canta melhor que ele. (She sings better than him.) | Vocês jogam melhor do que nós. (You all play better than us.) |
12
Detailed Components:
13
ser vs. estar: Use ser when comparing inherent qualities (Este vinho é melhor.), and estar when comparing temporary states (Hoje estou melhor.). This distinction is crucial for conveying precise meaning.
14
que vs. do que: Both que and do que translate to "than." In general, they are often interchangeable, especially in European Portuguese. However, do que is typically preferred or even required in specific circumstances:
15
When comparing two clauses: É melhor ir do que ficar. (It's better to go than to stay.)
16
When comparing quantities or indefinite pronouns: Ela come mais doces do que eu. (She eats more sweets than I do.)
17
While que is very common and often acceptable in many contexts, using do que can sometimes sound slightly more formal or complete, especially in Brazilian Portuguese. For A1 learners, understanding that both are options, with do que being a safe default, is sufficient.
18
Melhor as an Adverb (Comparative of bem):
19
When melhor functions as the comparative of the adverb bem (well), it does not change for number. Adverbs are generally invariable.
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Eu cozinho bem. (I cook well.)
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Tu cozinhas melhor que eu. (You cook better than I do.)
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Eles jogam futebol bem. (They play soccer well.)
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As meninas jogam futebol melhor do que os meninos. (The girls play soccer better than the boys.)
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Notice that in these cases, melhor always follows the verb, describing how an action is performed, and does not require number agreement. This distinction between adjective and adverbial melhor is a common point of confusion that careful observation will resolve.

When To Use It

Melhor is one of the most frequently used comparative forms in Portuguese, essential for expressing preference, improvement, or superiority across a vast range of contexts. You will use melhor whenever you need to compare the quality, effectiveness, or suitability of one thing or action against another. This applies whether you're discussing tangible objects, abstract concepts, or personal feelings.
Here are the primary scenarios where melhor is indispensable:
  • Expressing Preferences and Opinions: This is perhaps the most common use. Whether you are choosing between two options or simply stating a favorite, melhor clearly communicates your judgment of superior quality.
  • Este café é melhor que o outro. (This coffee is better than the other one.)
  • A praia é melhor do que a montanha para as férias. (The beach is better than the mountain for vacations.)
  • Indicating Improvement or Progress: When something or someone has advanced from a previous state, melhor is the word to use.
  • Sinto-me melhor hoje. (I feel better today.)
  • O meu português está melhor depois das aulas. (My Portuguese is better after the classes.)
  • Giving Advice or Making Suggestions: Often, in Portuguese, é melhor (it is better) is used to recommend a course of action.
  • É melhor ir agora para não chegarmos tarde. (It's better to go now so we don't arrive late.)
  • Para aprender, é melhor praticar todos os dias. (To learn, it's better to practice every day.)
  • Comparing Performance or Skill: When assessing how well someone performs an action.
  • Ela corre melhor que o irmão. (She runs better than her brother.)
  • O novo programa funciona melhor. (The new program works better.)
  • In Fixed Expressions: Melhor appears in several common idioms and phrases.
  • De melhor para pior. (From better to worse.)
  • O melhor de dois mundos. (The best of both worlds – using its superlative potential).
Understanding Portuguese culture reveals a high value placed on expressing opinions and preferences directly, particularly in informal settings. Melhor facilitates this effortlessly, allowing you to articulate nuanced judgments about quality, taste, or effectiveness. Therefore, integrating melhor into your vocabulary will significantly enhance your ability to engage in natural, flowing conversations and understand subtle social cues.

Common Mistakes

Even at advanced stages, learners occasionally revert to incorrect comparative forms due to interference from their native language or overgeneralization of regular comparative rules. Avoiding these common errors is crucial for achieving fluency and being understood without ambiguity. Understanding why these are mistakes solidifies your grasp of melhor.
  1. 1The "Mais Bom" Trap: This is the quintessential beginner error. Your brain logically processes "more good" and attempts to translate it literally as mais bom. However, this construction is grammatically incorrect and sounds extremely unnatural, akin to a child's speech in English. It immediately signals a non-native speaker. Portuguese, like English, prefers the single, irregular term.
  • ❌ Este vinho é mais bom que o outro.
  • ✅ Este vinho é melhor que o outro. (This wine is better than the other one.)
  1. 1Forgetting Number Agreement for Adjective Melhor: While melhor is gender-invariant, it is not number-invariant when acting as an adjective. If the noun being described as "better" is plural, melhor must become melhores. This is a frequent oversight.
  • ❌ As minhas ideias são melhor que as tuas.
  • ✅ As minhas ideias são melhores que as tuas. (My ideas are better than yours.)
  • This applies universally to both European and Brazilian Portuguese.
  1. 1Confusing Melhor (Comparative of Bom) with Melhor (Comparative of Bem): Both bom (adjective, meaning good) and bem (adverb, meaning well) use melhor as their comparative form. The key distinction lies in what melhor modifies:
  • Adjective melhor: Modifies a noun (directly or via a linking verb like ser/estar). It expresses superior quality.
  • Este carro é melhor. (This car is better.) — melhor describes carro (noun).
  • Adverb melhor: Modifies a verb, describing superior manner or performance. It is invariable.
  • Ele cozinha melhor. (He cooks better.) — melhor describes cozinha (verb).
  • The mistake arises when applying adjective agreement rules to adverbial melhor, or vice versa.
  1. 1Incorrect Use of Mais Bem: There is a specific, limited context where mais bem is acceptable, and it's vital not to confuse it with melhor. Mais bem is used only with a past participle to form a compound adjective, typically conveying a sense of being "more well-done" or "better prepared/taken." It’s less common and more formal.
  • ✅ Esta foto está mais bem tirada. (This photo is better taken / more well-taken.)
  • ❌ O plano está mais bem do que o anterior. (Incorrect. You would use melhor: O plano está melhor que o anterior.)
  • Think of mais bem as modifying the quality of the action represented by the participle, not the general goodness of a noun or verb's action.
  1. 1Overlooking Other Irregular Comparatives: Bom is not the only irregular adjective. Portuguese has a set of "Big Four" irregular comparatives. Familiarize yourself with all of them to avoid similar errors.
| Adjective (Positive) | Comparative (Irregular) | English Equivalent |
| :------------------- | :---------------------- | :----------------- |
| bom (good) | melhor (better) | Better |
| mau (bad) | pior (worse) | Worse |
| grande (big/large) | maior (bigger/larger) | Bigger |
| pequeno (small) | menor (smaller) | Smaller |
The consistent pattern among these irregulars is that they replace the base adjective entirely, rather than using mais. Memorizing these four pairs will prevent a significant number of comparative errors.

Real Conversations

Melhor is an organic part of daily Portuguese interaction, appearing in everything from casual chat to more formal discussions. Observing its use in authentic contexts helps you internalize its nuances beyond grammatical rules. Native speakers integrate melhor seamlessly, often using it to express quick opinions, make suggestions, or inquire about well-being.

In casual conversations and texting:

- "Qual filme é melhor?" (Which movie is better?) – "O novo, sem dúvida. Muito melhor!" (The new one, without a doubt. Much better!) – A simple, direct comparison.

- "Como estás? Já estás melhor?" (How are you? Are you better yet?) – "Sim, estou muito melhor, obrigado!" (Yes, I'm much better, thanks!) – Common inquiry about health or mood.

- "Acho que é melhor ir de metro. O trânsito está horrível." (I think it's better to go by subway. The traffic is horrible.) – Offering a practical suggestion.

- On social media, you might see comments like: "Esta versão é mil vezes melhor!" (This version is a thousand times better!) or "Não há nada melhor que um bom café." (There's nothing better than a good coffee.) – Expressing strong preference or universal truth.

In more structured interactions (e.g., work emails, planning):

- "Seria melhor agendarmos a reunião para a próxima semana." (It would be better to schedule the meeting for next week.) – A polite and effective way to suggest an alternative.

- "A solução proposta é consideravelmente melhor em termos de custo-benefício." (The proposed solution is considerably better in terms of cost-benefit.) – Formal evaluation of options.

C

Cultural Insight

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, there's a certain directness in expressing preferences, especially among friends and family. While politeness is valued, stating "Este é melhor" is generally accepted as a straightforward opinion rather than a blunt declaration. For a softer approach, you can always pair it with phrases like "Na minha opinião, este é melhor..." (In my opinion, this one is better...). This balances directness with courtesy.

Whether you are in Brazil or Portugal, the usage and grammatical rules for melhor remain consistent. This foundational comparative is universally understood and applied across all Portuguese dialects, making it a reliable component of your communication.

Quick FAQ

Addressing common questions about melhor can clarify persistent doubts and reinforce your understanding of this irregular comparative.
Q: Is there a feminine form of melhor, like melhora?

No. Melhor is invariable in gender (it doesn't change for masculine or feminine nouns). You will always use melhor regardless of the noun's gender, provided it's singular. For example: O carro é melhor. (The car is better.) and A casa é melhor. (The house is better.) The form melhora exists as a verb (meaning "improves") or a noun (meaning "improvement"), but never as a feminine adjective for "better."

Q: Can I say mais melhor for emphasis?

Absolutely not. Just as you wouldn't say "more better" in English, mais melhor is grammatically incorrect and sounds extremely awkward to a native Portuguese speaker. If you want to add emphasis, use intensifiers:

  • muito melhor (much better)
  • bem melhor (quite a bit better, significantly better)
  • muitíssimo melhor (very, very much better – superlative form of emphasis)
  • Example: O tempo está muito melhor hoje. (The weather is much better today.)
Q: Does melhor always come after the verb ser or estar?

Not always, but very frequently when it functions as an adjective. If melhor is modifying a noun directly, it can sometimes come before the noun, especially in literary or more formal contexts, or when forming the superlative. For A1, focus on [Noun] + ser/estar + melhor for comparative adjective use, and [Verb] + melhor for adverbial use. Placing it after the verb is the most common and safest bet for beginners.

Q: What is the difference between melhor and o melhor?

Melhor alone means "better" (comparative). O melhor (or a melhor, os melhores, as melhores) means "the best" (superlative). The presence of the definite article (o, a, os, as) transforms melhor from a comparative into a superlative. This is a crucial distinction for expressing degrees of quality.

  • Este é melhor. (This is better.)
  • Este é o melhor. (This is the best.)
Q: Are there any differences in using melhor between Brazilian Portuguese (BP) and European Portuguese (EP)?

The fundamental grammar rule and the form of melhor are identical in both major variants of Portuguese. Both BP and EP speakers agree that mais bom is incorrect and that melhor is the correct comparative for bom. You might notice slight preferences in which connector (que vs. do que) is used in certain phrases, but the core function and form of melhor remain universal across the Portuguese-speaking world.

Q: How does melhor relate to other irregular comparatives like pior, maior, and menor?

Melhor belongs to a small, essential group of irregular comparatives in Portuguese. These words (melhor, pior, maior, menor) all share the characteristic of having entirely distinct forms for their comparative rather than using mais + adjective. They are derived from Latin comparative forms, maintaining their unique structure. Understanding one helps you understand the others, as they operate under the same principle of irregularity.

Comparison of Good

Adjective Comparative Plural Comparative
Bom (Good)
Melhor (Better)
Melhores (Better)

Meanings

The word 'melhor' is the irregular comparative form of the adjective 'bom' (good). It is used to indicate that one thing is superior in quality to another.

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Quality Comparison

Indicating superior quality

“Este filme é melhor.”

“Ela é a melhor aluna.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Saying 'Better' (Not Mais Bom!)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + é + melhor
Este é melhor.
Negative
Subject + não é + melhor
Este não é melhor.
Question
É + subject + melhor?
É melhor?
Comparison
A + é + melhor + que + B
A é melhor que B.
Plural
Subjects + são + melhores
Eles são melhores.
Superlative
O/A + melhor
Ele é o melhor.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Esta opção é melhor.

Esta opção é melhor. (General)

Neutral
Isto é melhor.

Isto é melhor. (General)

Informal
Isso é melhor!

Isso é melhor! (General)

Slang
Isso é top!

Isso é top! (General)

The Better Map

Bom

Comparative

  • Melhor Better

Plural

  • Melhores Better (plural)
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Examples by Level

1

Este livro é melhor.

This book is better.

2

O café é melhor.

The coffee is better.

3

Eles são melhores.

They are better.

4

Ela é melhor.

She is better.

1

Este carro é melhor que o meu.

This car is better than mine.

2

Os filmes de hoje são melhores.

Today's movies are better.

3

Não é melhor ir agora?

Isn't it better to go now?

4

A comida aqui é melhor.

The food here is better.

1

A situação econômica está melhor do que no ano passado.

The economic situation is better than last year.

2

Estes resultados são os melhores que já vimos.

These results are the best we have ever seen.

3

É melhor que você estude mais.

It is better that you study more.

4

A escolha melhor seria a mais barata.

The better choice would be the cheapest one.

1

Considero esta alternativa muito melhor para o projeto.

I consider this alternative much better for the project.

2

Os melhores atletas treinam todos os dias.

The best athletes train every day.

3

Nada é melhor do que um dia de sol.

Nothing is better than a sunny day.

4

A qualidade do serviço é melhor nesta unidade.

The service quality is better at this branch.

1

A solução proposta é, sem dúvida, a melhor possível.

The proposed solution is, without a doubt, the best possible.

2

Melhores práticas são essenciais para o sucesso.

Best practices are essential for success.

3

É melhor prevenir do que remediar.

It is better to prevent than to remedy.

4

A performance deles foi melhor do que a nossa.

Their performance was better than ours.

1

A melhor das hipóteses é que tudo corra bem.

The best-case scenario is that everything goes well.

2

Melhores condições de trabalho geram melhores resultados.

Better working conditions generate better results.

3

Não há nada melhor do que a liberdade.

There is nothing better than freedom.

4

A melhor forma de aprender é praticando.

The best way to learn is by practicing.

Easily Confused

Saying 'Better' (Not Mais Bom!) vs Mais bom vs Melhor

Learners think 'mais' + adjective is a universal rule.

Saying 'Better' (Not Mais Bom!) vs Melhor vs Melhora

Learners try to make it feminine.

Saying 'Better' (Not Mais Bom!) vs Melhor vs Mais bem

Melhor is for adjectives, 'mais bem' is for adverbs.

Common Mistakes

✗

mais bom

✓

melhor

Bom is irregular.
✗

melhora

✓

melhor

Melhor is gender-neutral.
✗

mais melhor

✓

melhor

Redundant.
✗

bom melhor

✓

melhor

Don't use both.
✗

mais bom

✓

melhor

Irregularity.
✗

melhores (singular)

✓

melhor

Number agreement.
✗

mais bom que

✓

melhor que

Incorrect structure.
✗

mais bom

✓

melhor

Still a common fossilized error.
✗

melhor de que

✓

melhor que

Preposition error.
✗

mais melhor

✓

melhor

Redundancy.
✗

mais bom

✓

melhor

Only in extreme colloquial speech.
✗

melhor de que

✓

melhor que

Grammar error.
✗

mais bom

✓

melhor

Solecism.

Sentence Patterns

Este ___ é melhor.

___ é melhor que ___.

Os ___ são melhores.

É melhor ___ agora.

Real World Usage

Restaurant very common

O prato do dia é melhor.

Texting constant

É melhor ir logo.

Job Interview common

Esta estratégia é melhor.

Travel common

Este hotel é melhor.

Food Delivery App common

A avaliação é melhor.

Social Media common

Melhores momentos!

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💡

Gender Neutrality

Remember, 'melhor' doesn't change for gender. It's the same for 'o carro' and 'a casa'.
⚠️

No Mais Bom

Never, ever say 'mais bom'. It is the most common mistake for beginners.
🎯

Pluralization

Don't forget to add the 's' for 'melhores' when talking about multiple things.
💬

Natural Sounding

Using 'melhor' correctly makes you sound much more fluent immediately.

Smart Tips

Use 'melhor que' instead of 'mais bom que'.

Este é mais bom que aquele. → Este é melhor que aquele.

Use 'melhores' for plural subjects.

Estes são melhor. → Estes são melhores.

Stop and replace the whole phrase with 'melhor'.

É mais bom. → É melhor.

Use 'a melhor opção' for 'the best option'.

A mais boa opção. → A melhor opção.

Pronunciation

mel-HOR

Stress

The stress is on the second syllable: mel-HOR.

Declarative

É melhor. ↘

Stating a fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Bom becomes Melhor, like a bell ringing 'Better!'

Visual Association

Imagine a 'Bom' (a good bomb) exploding into a 'Melhor' (a better, shiny star).

Rhyme

Don't say mais bom, that's not the song, just say melhor, and you won't be wrong.

Story

Maria tried to say 'mais bom' at the market. The vendor laughed and said 'Melhor!'. Now Maria always remembers to use 'melhor' when she wants the best fruit.

Word Web

BomMelhorMelhoresQueQualidadeSuperior

Challenge

Write 5 sentences comparing things in your room using 'melhor'.

Cultural Notes

In Brazil, 'melhor' is used universally. 'Mais bom' is seen as a sign of very low education or a child's mistake.

Similarly, 'melhor' is standard. 'Mais bom' is strictly avoided.

Standard usage applies.

Comes from Latin 'melior'.

Conversation Starters

“

Qual é melhor: café ou chá?

“

Você acha que este filme é melhor que o outro?

“

Como podemos ter melhores resultados?

“

O que é melhor para a saúde?

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre sua comida favorita e por que ela é melhor que as outras.
Compare dois lugares que você visitou.
Descreva como melhorar sua rotina de estudos.
Reflita sobre a melhor decisão que você já tomou.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Este livro é ___ que aquele.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Melhor is the comparative of bom.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O carro é melhor.
Melhor is the correct form.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ela é mais boa que ele.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela é melhor que ele.
Melhor is gender-neutral.
Make it plural. Sentence Transformation

Este é melhor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estes são melhores.
Melhor becomes melhores in plural.
Match the word to its plural. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhores
Plural of melhor is melhores.
Is this true? True False Rule

'Melhor' changes for gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Melhor is gender-neutral.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: O café é bom? B: Sim, mas o chá é ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Comparative of good is melhor.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

melhor / que / é / este / aquele

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Este é melhor que aquele.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Este livro é ___ que aquele.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Melhor is the comparative of bom.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O carro é melhor.
Melhor is the correct form.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ela é mais boa que ele.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela é melhor que ele.
Melhor is gender-neutral.
Make it plural. Sentence Transformation

Este é melhor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estes são melhores.
Melhor becomes melhores in plural.
Match the word to its plural. Match Pairs

Match 'melhor'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhores
Plural of melhor is melhores.
Is this true? True False Rule

'Melhor' changes for gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Melhor is gender-neutral.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: O café é bom? B: Sim, mas o chá é ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Comparative of good is melhor.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

melhor / que / é / este / aquele

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Este é melhor que aquele.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the comparison. Fill in the Blank

A versão antiga era má, mas a nova é ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Select the correct translation. Multiple Choice

These shoes are better.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estes sapatos são melhores.
Fix the grammar error. Error Correction

O João é mais bom em futebol que o Pedro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O João é melhor em futebol que o Pedro.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Eu sinto-me muito ___ hoje.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Which implies a comparison? Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that compares two things:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Este livro é melhor que aquele.
Match the adjective to its comparative form. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Bom -> Melhor","Mau -> Pior","Grande -> Maior","Pequeno -> Menor"]
Find the error. Error Correction

Elas cantam mais bom que nós.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elas cantam melhor que nós.
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Nada é ___ que um dia de sol.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Comparing plural items:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: As praias do Algarve são melhores.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Este computador é muito mais bom.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Este computador é muito melhor.
Select the correct word. Fill in the Blank

É ___ (better) prevenir do que remediar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: melhor
Identify the correct structure. Multiple Choice

How do you say 'better than'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Melhor que

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

No, never. It is grammatically incorrect.

No, it is gender-neutral.

The plural is 'melhores'.

Use 'que' when comparing two things (A é melhor que B).

It can also be an adverb, but the form remains the same.

It comes from the Latin 'melior', which was already irregular.

No, 'mais melhor' is redundant and incorrect.

Yes, it is the standard form for all registers.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

mejor

Both are gender-neutral.

French high

meilleur

French 'meilleur' agrees in gender.

German moderate

besser

German 'besser' is an adverb/adjective.

Japanese low

yori yoi

No irregular adjective form.

Arabic low

afdal

Different morphological root.

Chinese low

gèng hǎo

Chinese does not have irregular comparatives.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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Irregular Comparative: Worse (`pior`)

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