A1 Morphology 15 min read Easy

Irregular Comparative: `grande` → `maior` (Bigger)

Use maior instead of mais grande for 'bigger', unless comparing two qualities of the same object.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Portuguese, we don't say 'mais grande'; we use the irregular form 'maior' to mean 'bigger'.

  • Use 'maior' for both masculine and feminine nouns: 'O carro é maior' / 'A casa é maior'.
  • Never say 'mais grande', as it is considered grammatically incorrect by native speakers.
  • Use 'do que' after 'maior' to compare two things: 'Ele é maior do que eu'.
Noun + é + maior + do que + Noun

Overview

When you begin learning Portuguese, you quickly encounter the need to compare things. While most adjectives form their comparative by simply adding mais (more) before them—e.g., bonito (beautiful) becomes mais bonito (more beautiful)—some fundamental adjectives behave irregularly. This phenomenon is not unique to Portuguese; English does it too, with good becoming better instead of gooder.

One of the most important irregular comparatives in Portuguese is for the adjective grande (big, large, great). Instead of mais grande, you almost always use maior (bigger, larger, greater, older).

The term maior originates from the Latin major, which was already a comparative form. This historical linguistic root explains why it does not require mais to indicate comparison; the comparative meaning is inherently built into the word itself. Understanding this helps explain why mais maior is grammatically incorrect—it would be redundant, akin to saying "more better" in English.

For A1 learners, grasping this irregularity early is crucial for building a natural-sounding foundation in Portuguese.

While maior is the standard and correct comparative for grande when comparing two distinct entities, there exists a very specific, less common exception where mais grande is permissible. This exception occurs when you are comparing two qualities of the same noun, rather than comparing the size of two different nouns. However, this usage is highly nuanced and often sounds formal or slightly archaic, with native speakers typically opting for alternative constructions.

For beginners, the primary rule to internalize is the consistent use of maior.

How This Grammar Works

Maior serves as the comparative form of grande, meaning "bigger," "larger," or "greater." Crucially, it can also mean "older" when referring to people's ages. Unlike regular adjectives that often change to agree in both gender and number with the noun they modify, maior has a simpler agreement pattern: it changes only for number, not for gender.
This means maior remains maior whether the noun is masculine or feminine, singular or plural. The only change occurs when the noun is plural, in which case maior becomes maiores. This simplifies its application compared to adjectives like bonito (bonito, bonita, bonitos, bonitas).
This simpler agreement is a characteristic feature of many irregular comparatives in Portuguese, reducing the mental load for learners.
Consider the following structure for agreement:
| Noun Gender/Number | Adjective Form | Example | Translation |
| :-------------------- | :------------- | :-------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------ |
| Masculine Singular | maior | O meu carro é maior. | My car is bigger. |
| Feminine Singular | A minha casa é maior. | My house is bigger. |
| Masculine Plural | maiores | Os meus carros são maiores. | My cars are bigger. |
| Feminine Plural | As minhas casas são maiores. | My houses are bigger. |
When maior is used to mean "older," it functions similarly to mais velho (more old/older). While mais velho is generally more common and explicit for age, especially in European Portuguese, maior is also frequently used in Brazilian Portuguese to denote being older than someone else. For instance, Ele é maior que eu can mean "He is older than me." The context usually clarifies whether size or age is being discussed, though for absolute clarity regarding age, mais velho is often preferred.

Formation Pattern

1
The primary use of maior involves comparing the size or significance of two distinct nouns. The structure is straightforward, but attention to the connector word is important. The exceptional use of mais grande, while grammatically possible under specific conditions, is rare and typically avoided in natural conversation.
2
Pattern 1: Comparing Two Different Things (The Standard Use)
3
This is the most common application, accounting for over 99% of maior usage. You use this pattern when comparing the size, importance, or age of two separate nouns or pronouns. The formula is:
4
Noun 1 + Verb (ser most commonly) + maior/maiores + que/do que + Noun 2
5
Que: This is universally accepted and generally more common in European Portuguese. It’s also perceived as slightly more formal or direct.
6
Do que: This is very common in Brazilian Portuguese, often used interchangeably with que, especially after comparatives. It literally means "of what" or "than what," adding a slightly more elaborate feel.
7
Both que and do que are correct. You can choose based on regional preference or desired nuance. For A1 learners, que is a safe and correct choice in all contexts.
8
| Component | Example 1 (Singular) | Example 2 (Plural) | Example 3 (Age) |
9
| :------------------------- | :---------------------------------- | :------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------ |
10
| Noun 1 | O meu apartamento | As cidades grandes | A minha irmã |
11
| Verb (ser) | é | são | é |
12
| maior/maiores | maior | maiores | maior |
13
| que/do que | que | do que | que |
14
| Noun 2 | o seu. | as pequenas. | eu. |
15
| Full Sentence | O meu apartamento é maior que o seu. | As cidades grandes são maiores do que as pequenas. | A minha irmã é maior que eu. |
16
| Translation | My apartment is bigger than yours. | Large cities are bigger than small ones. | My sister is older than me. |
17
Pattern 2: Comparing Two Qualities of the Same Thing (The Exception)
18
This pattern is a rare exception to the general rule and should be approached with caution by beginners. It is used when comparing two distinct attributes or qualities of the same noun. In this specific scenario, you can use mais grande.
19
Noun + Verb (ser most commonly) + mais + Adjective 1 (grande) + que/do que + Adjective 2
20
For example:
21
O problema é mais grande que complicado. (The problem is more big than complicated.)
22
Here, you are not comparing "the problem" to another problem. You are comparing two aspects of the same problem: its grandeza (bigness) versus its complicação (complication). The implication is that its size is a more prominent characteristic than its complexity.
23
This construction is often considered stylistically heavier and less natural in everyday speech. Native speakers typically rephrase to avoid it, e.g., O problema é grande, mas não é tão complicado. (The problem is big, but it's not that complicated.) For A1 learners, focusing on Pattern 1 is sufficient for effective communication, and understanding Pattern 2 is primarily for recognition rather than active production.

When To Use It

Mastering maior means knowing when to deploy it effectively across various contexts. Its utility extends beyond mere physical dimensions, encompassing age, significance, and abstract concepts.
  1. 1Physical Size and Dimensions: This is the most intuitive application. Whenever you need to express that one object, place, or entity has greater physical size than another, maior is your word.
  • Esta mala é maior que a outra. (This suitcase is bigger than the other one.)
  • O Brasil é um país muito maior do que Portugal. (Brazil is a much bigger country than Portugal.)
  • Precisamos de uma mesa maior para a sala. (We need a bigger table for the living room.)
  1. 1Age (for people): Maior frequently indicates that someone is older. While mais velho is also correct and sometimes preferred for clarity regarding age, maior is a common and natural alternative, especially in informal Brazilian Portuguese.
  • O meu irmão é maior que eu. (My brother is older than me.)
  • Ela já é maior de idade. (She is already of legal age / an adult.) – Note: maior de idade is a fixed expression.
  • Quem é o maior dos dois? (Who is the older of the two?)
  1. 1Importance, Significance, or Degree: Maior can elevate an abstract concept, suggesting it is greater in scale, importance, or intensity. It's often translated as "greater" or "most significant" in these contexts.
  • Este é o maior desafio da minha carreira. (This is the greatest challenge of my career.)
  • A nossa maior preocupação é a segurança. (Our biggest/greatest concern is safety.)
  • Ele tem um maior impacto na equipa. (He has a greater impact on the team.)
  1. 1Comparisons with Abstract Nouns: Even when dealing with non-physical attributes, maior is used to compare scale.
  • A diferença entre os dois projetos é maior do que pensávamos. (The difference between the two projects is bigger/greater than we thought.)
In all these cases, maior (or maiores for plural nouns) is the standard and correct choice. The rare instance of mais grande is reserved for the very specific comparison of two qualities within the same item, as discussed in the "Formation Pattern" section. For beginners, prioritize the maior usage to sound natural and fluent.

Common Mistakes

Portuguese learners, especially those with English as a first language, frequently make certain errors when dealing with grande and maior. These mistakes often stem from direct translation or an incomplete understanding of irregular comparatives.
  1. 1Over-using mais grande: This is the most prevalent error. Because English uses "more big," learners instinctively apply mais grande. However, this is almost always incorrect in Portuguese when comparing two distinct items.
  • Incorrect: Londres é mais grande que Paris.
  • Correct: Londres é maior que Paris. (London is bigger than Paris.)
  • Why it's wrong: Maior inherently carries the meaning of "bigger," so adding mais creates redundancy and sounds unnatural to native speakers. This is a direct parallel to saying "gooder" instead of "better" in English.
  1. 1Forgetting Plural Agreement for maior: While maior doesn't change for gender, it does change for number. Neglecting to use maiores for plural nouns is a common oversight.
  • Incorrect: Os problemas são maior que as soluções.
  • Correct: Os problemas são maiores que as soluções. (The problems are bigger than the solutions.)
  • Why it's wrong: Adjectives must agree in number with the noun they modify. Since problemas is plural, maior must also become plural.
  1. 1Confusing maior with other irregular comparatives: Portuguese has other irregular comparatives that sound somewhat similar or share the same irregular pattern, leading to confusion.
  • maior (bigger/older) vs. melhor (better)
  • Este carro é maior que o meu. (This car is bigger than mine.)
  • Este carro é melhor que o meu. (This car is better than mine.)
  • Why it's wrong to confuse them: They derive from different base adjectives (grande vs. bom) and convey distinct meanings. A larger item is not necessarily a better item.
  • maior (bigger/older) vs. menor (smaller/younger)
  • Ele é o meu irmão maior. (He is my older brother.)
  • Ele é o meu irmão menor. (He is my younger brother.)
  • Why it's wrong to confuse them: These are antonyms, and confusing them in context can reverse the intended meaning.
  1. 1Misapplying the mais grande exception: Once learners discover the rare exception for mais grande (comparing two qualities of the same noun), they sometimes try to use it in contexts where maior is appropriate, or they misunderstand the subtle semantic difference.
  • Incorrect (misapplied exception): A minha casa é mais grande que a do João. (Trying to compare two houses using the exception.)
  • Correct: A minha casa é maior que a do João. (My house is bigger than João's.)
  • Why it's wrong: The exception mais grande is only for comparing qualities within one item, not for comparing the size of two items.
To overcome these mistakes, consistent practice, active listening to native speakers, and direct correction are invaluable. Actively replacing any internalized "mais grande" with "maior" in your mental grammar is a crucial step.

Real Conversations

Understanding maior in theory is one thing; hearing and using it in authentic conversation is another. Native speakers naturally integrate maior into various daily scenarios, often with subtle nuances that textbook examples might miss. Here’s how you’d encounter it in real-world Portuguese, reflecting both Brazilian and European Portuguese usage:

1. Casual Chat (Friends/Family):

- Scenario: Discussing apartments.

- Português: Nossa, o apartamento da Joana é maior que o nosso, né?

- English: (Wow, Joana's apartment is bigger than ours, right?)

- Scenario: Talking about siblings' ages.

- Português: A minha irmã mais nova já está quase maior que eu!

- English: (My younger sister is almost taller/older than me already!)

2. Professional Context (Work/Business):

- Scenario: Evaluating project sizes.

- Português (BR): Acredito que este projeto será maior do que o anterior em termos de orçamento.

- English: (I believe this project will be bigger than the previous one in terms of budget.)

- Scenario: Discussing office space.

- Português (PT): Precisamos de um escritório maior para acomodar a nova equipa.

- English: (We need a bigger office to accommodate the new team.)

3. Social Media/Texting:

- Scenario: Commenting on a photo of a large animal/object.

- Português: Que cão maior! Parece um urso!

- English: (What a big dog! Looks like a bear!)

- Scenario: Debating which city to visit.

- Português: Prefiro ir para Lisboa, é maior e tem mais coisas para fazer.

- English: (I prefer to go to Lisbon, it's bigger and has more things to do.)

4. Cultural Insight: The Nuance of maior for Age

In Brazilian Portuguese, maior is very commonly used instead of mais velho to mean "older" in informal contexts. For instance, children often refer to their older siblings as irmão maior or irmã maior. In European Portuguese, mais velho is almost exclusively preferred for age. This regional difference highlights the importance of exposure to both dialects.

- Brazilian Portuguese (common): Meu irmão maior me levou ao cinema. (My older brother took me to the cinema.)

- European Portuguese (preferred): O meu irmão mais velho levou-me ao cinema. (My older brother took me to the cinema.)

Understanding these natural usages helps you not only produce correct Portuguese but also comprehend the subtle implications when native speakers communicate.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about grande and its comparative forms, addressing common points of confusion for learners.
Q1: Can I ever say mais grande?
A: Almost never in common conversation. The only truly grammatical context for mais grande is when you are comparing two qualities or adjectives that describe the same noun, rather than comparing the size of two different nouns. For example, A casa é mais grande que bonita (The house is more big than beautiful).
Even then, this construction is rare, formal, and often sounds a bit clunky; native speakers typically rephrase to something like A casa é grande, mas não é tão bonita. (The house is big, but not that beautiful.) For A1 learners, it is safest to avoid mais grande entirely.
Q2: Is there a difference in usage between Brazilian Portuguese (BR) and European Portuguese (PT)?
A: The fundamental rule (grande → maior) is the same in both. However, there are subtle differences, particularly regarding the use of que vs. do que and maior for age.
  • Que vs. do que: While both are correct, do que is notably more frequent in Brazilian Portuguese after comparatives (e.g., maior do que). European Portuguese tends to prefer que. Both forms are understood universally.
  • Maior for age: As mentioned, maior is commonly used to mean "older" in informal Brazilian Portuguese (Meu irmão é maior que eu). In European Portuguese, mais velho is almost exclusively used for age (O meu irmão é mais velho que eu).
Q3: Does maior always mean "bigger"?
A: Primarily, yes, but its meaning can expand based on context. It can mean:
  • Physical size: Aquele edifício é maior que este. (That building is bigger than this one.)
  • Age: Ela é maior que o irmão. (She is older than her brother.)
  • Importance/Magnitude: É um desafio maior. (It's a greater/bigger challenge.)
  • Superiority (less common but possible): In some very specific, abstract contexts, it can imply a higher degree or quality, though melhor (better) is usually preferred.
Context usually disambiguates the intended meaning.
Q4: What about grandão or grandona? Are they related to maior?
A: Grandão (masculine) and grandona (feminine) are augmentatives of grande. They mean "really big," "huge," or "very large." They are informal and are used to emphasize size, but they are not comparatives. You use them to describe something's absolute large size, not to compare it with something else.
  • Ele tem um cão grandão. (He has a really big dog.)
  • A festa foi grandona! (The party was huge!)
In contrast, maior always implies a comparison or a superlative (o maior, the biggest).
Q5: How does maior relate to other irregular comparatives like menor, melhor, and pior?
A: These are all part of the same group of irregular comparatives. They follow the same principle: the comparative form is built into the word itself, and they typically do not take mais.
| Base Adjective | Comparative Form | Meaning | Example | Exception (mais... que...) |
| :------------- | :--------------- | :---------------- | :------------------------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| grande | maior | bigger, older | A minha casa é maior que a sua. | O problema é mais grande que complicado. (rare) |
| pequeno | menor | smaller, younger | O meu carro é menor que o teu. | Ele é mais pequeno que fraco. (rare) |
| bom | melhor | better | Este café é melhor que o outro. | Este livro é mais bom que interessante. (extremely rare/awkward) |
| mau | pior | worse | O trânsito está pior que ontem. | O filme foi mais mau que longo. (extremely rare/awkward) |
As you can see, grande and pequeno are the most prominent examples where the "two qualities" exception (mais grande/mais pequeno) is theoretically possible, even if uncommon. For bom and mau, the mais bom or mais mau constructions are almost never used in natural speech and sound very awkward. Focusing on the irregular forms (maior, menor, melhor, pior) for general comparison is the correct and most practical approach.

Comparative Forms of Grande

Adjective Comparative Meaning
Grande
Maior
Bigger
Grande
O maior
The biggest
Grande
A maior
The biggest (fem)
Grande
Os maiores
The biggest (pl)
Grande
As maiores
The biggest (fem pl)

Meanings

The word 'maior' is the irregular comparative form of the adjective 'grande' (big). It functions as the standard way to express 'bigger' or 'larger' in Portuguese.

1

Physical Size

Comparing the physical dimensions of objects or people.

“O meu irmão é maior do que eu.”

“Este prédio é maior do que aquele.”

2

Age/Seniority

Referring to someone being older.

“Ela é a maior da turma.”

“O meu filho maior tem dez anos.”

3

Abstract Magnitude

Referring to importance or intensity.

“Este é o maior problema de todos.”

“Temos uma maior necessidade de ajuda.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Irregular Comparative: `grande` → `maior` (Bigger)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
X é maior que Y
O carro é maior que a mota.
Negative
X não é maior que Y
O carro não é maior que o camião.
Question
É X maior que Y?
Este carro é maior que aquele?
Superlative
O/A + maior
Este é o maior carro.
Plural
Os/As + maiores
Estes são os maiores carros.
Abstract
Maior + Noun
Uma maior oportunidade.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
A casa é maior do que o apartamento.

A casa é maior do que o apartamento. (Describing housing)

Neutral
A casa é maior que o apartamento.

A casa é maior que o apartamento. (Describing housing)

Informal
A casa é maior que o apartamento.

A casa é maior que o apartamento. (Describing housing)

Slang
A casa é maior que o apê.

A casa é maior que o apê. (Describing housing)

The Maior Concept Map

Maior

Size

  • Grande Big

Comparison

  • Do que Than

Regular vs Irregular

Regular
Mais alto Taller
Irregular
Maior Bigger

Decision Flow

1

Is it 'grande'?

YES
Use 'maior'
NO
Use 'mais' + adjective
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Examples by Level

1

O meu carro é maior.

My car is bigger.

2

A casa é maior.

The house is bigger.

3

Ele é maior do que eu.

He is bigger than me.

4

Esta mala é maior.

This suitcase is bigger.

1

Qual destes é o maior?

Which of these is the biggest?

2

Não é maior do que o outro.

It is not bigger than the other one.

3

O meu irmão é maior que o teu.

My brother is bigger than yours.

4

Precisamos de uma mesa maior.

We need a bigger table.

1

Este é o maior desafio da minha vida.

This is the biggest challenge of my life.

2

Ela tem uma maior experiência.

She has greater experience.

3

O problema é maior do que pensávamos.

The problem is bigger than we thought.

4

Eles são os maiores da turma.

They are the biggest in the class.

1

A maior parte das pessoas concorda.

The majority of people agree.

2

É uma questão de maior importância.

It is a matter of greater importance.

3

Não há nada maior do que a liberdade.

There is nothing greater than freedom.

4

O impacto foi muito maior.

The impact was much bigger.

1

A sua contribuição foi de maior valia.

Your contribution was of greater value.

2

Ele é o maior especialista na área.

He is the greatest expert in the field.

3

A maior das surpresas foi a sua presença.

The biggest of surprises was your presence.

4

Temos uma maior probabilidade de sucesso.

We have a greater probability of success.

1

O maior dos males é a ignorância.

The greatest of evils is ignorance.

2

Em maior escala, o projeto é inviável.

On a larger scale, the project is unfeasible.

3

A maior parte dos estudiosos concorda.

The majority of scholars agree.

4

É um erro de maior monta.

It is a mistake of greater magnitude.

Easily Confused

Irregular Comparative: `grande` → `maior` (Bigger) vs Mais grande vs Maior

Learners think 'mais' is always needed for comparatives.

Irregular Comparative: `grande` → `maior` (Bigger) vs Maior vs Menor

Learners mix up 'bigger' and 'smaller'.

Irregular Comparative: `grande` → `maior` (Bigger) vs Maior vs Melhor

Both are irregular comparatives.

Common Mistakes

✗

mais grande

✓

maior

Learners often apply the regular 'mais + adjective' rule to 'grande'.
✗

maiora

✓

maior

Assuming 'maior' needs a feminine form.
✗

maior que eu

✓

maior do que eu

Missing the 'do' in 'do que'.
✗

mais maior

✓

maior

Redundant comparison.
✗

maiores do que

✓

maior do que

Using plural when the subject is singular.
✗

mais grande que

✓

maior do que

Mixing the two systems.
✗

maior de que

✓

maior do que

Incorrect preposition usage.
✗

mais grande

✓

maior

Still slipping into the 'mais' habit.
✗

maior que

✓

maior do que

Informal usage vs formal standard.
✗

o maior grande

✓

o maior

Redundant superlative.
✗

mais grande

✓

maior

Rare, but happens in high-speed speech.
✗

maior que

✓

maior do que

Formal writing requires 'do que'.
✗

mais maior

✓

maior

Hypercorrection.
✗

maior de

✓

maior do que

Preposition error.

Sentence Patterns

O/A ___ é maior do que o/a ___.

Este é o ___ maior do mundo.

A minha ___ é maior do que a tua.

Temos uma maior ___ de sucesso.

Real World Usage

Shopping very common

Queria uma camisola maior.

Texting constant

O meu cão é maior que o teu!

Job Interview common

Este projeto foi o meu maior desafio.

Travel common

O quarto é maior do que esperava.

Food Delivery common

Quero a pizza maior.

Social Media constant

A maior surpresa de sempre!

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💡

Gender Neutrality

Remember that 'maior' is gender-neutral. Don't try to change it to 'maiora' for feminine nouns.
⚠️

Avoid 'Mais Grande'

Even if you hear it in some Spanish dialects, avoid saying 'mais grande' in Portuguese. It is a major error.
🎯

Use 'do que'

Always use 'do que' when comparing two things. It makes your sentences sound complete and professional.
💬

Regional Differences

In Brazil, you might hear 'maior que' often. In Portugal, 'maior do que' is the standard.

Smart Tips

Always use 'do que' to avoid ambiguity.

Ele é maior que eu. → Ele é maior do que eu.

Remember 'maior' doesn't change gender.

A casa é maiora. → A casa é maior.

Add the article 'o' or 'a'.

Este é maior carro. → Este é o maior carro.

Pause and replace it with 'maior'.

É um mais grande problema. → É um maior problema.

Pronunciation

/ma.ˈjoɾ/

Maior

The 'oi' is a diphthong. Pronounced like 'my-OR'.

Comparative

A casa é MAIOR do que a outra.

Emphasis on the comparative word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Maior' as 'My-or' (My OR). 'My OR is bigger than yours!'

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'M' letter standing next to a small 'g'. The 'M' is clearly bigger, representing 'Maior'.

Rhyme

Don't say mais grande, that's a mistake, use maior for goodness sake!

Story

Once there was a giant named Maior. He was so big that he didn't need 'mais' to help him. He stood alone, the biggest of them all.

Word Web

MaiorGrandeDo queMaisMenorMelhor

Challenge

Write 5 sentences comparing objects in your room using 'maior do que'.

Cultural Notes

In Brazil, 'maior que' is very common in speech, though 'maior do que' is preferred in writing.

In Portugal, 'maior do que' is strictly preferred in both speech and writing.

Usage follows standard European Portuguese norms with a preference for 'do que'.

Comes from the Latin 'maior', which was the comparative form of 'magnus'.

Conversation Starters

“

Qual é a cidade maior, Lisboa ou Porto?

“

O teu telemóvel é maior do que o meu?

“

Qual é o maior desafio de aprender português?

“

Achas que o mundo está a ficar maior?

Journal Prompts

Compare your house with your friend's house.
Describe the biggest challenge you faced this year.
Compare life in a big city vs a small town.
Discuss the impact of technology on communication.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct comparative.

O meu carro é ___ do que o teu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maior
The irregular comparative of 'grande' is 'maior'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A casa é maior.
'Maior' is the correct comparative form.
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

O meu irmão é mais grande que eu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O meu irmão é maior do que eu.
Use 'maior do que' for comparisons.
Reorder the words to form a sentence. Sentence Building

maior / do que / é / o / carro / a / mota

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O carro é maior do que a mota.
Correct word order: Subject + Verb + Comparative + Preposition + Object.
Provide the comparative form of 'grande'. Conjugation Drill

Grande -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maior
The irregular form is 'maior'.
Match the adjective to its comparative. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Maior
Grande becomes maior.
Is the following statement true? True False Rule

'Maior' changes for gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Maior' is invariant.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Esta mala é pequena. B: Precisas de uma ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maior
You need a bigger one.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct comparative.

O meu carro é ___ do que o teu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maior
The irregular comparative of 'grande' is 'maior'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A casa é maior.
'Maior' is the correct comparative form.
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

O meu irmão é mais grande que eu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O meu irmão é maior do que eu.
Use 'maior do que' for comparisons.
Reorder the words to form a sentence. Sentence Building

maior / do que / é / o / carro / a / mota

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O carro é maior do que a mota.
Correct word order: Subject + Verb + Comparative + Preposition + Object.
Provide the comparative form of 'grande'. Conjugation Drill

Grande -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maior
The irregular form is 'maior'.
Match the adjective to its comparative. Match Pairs

Grande -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Maior
Grande becomes maior.
Is the following statement true? True False Rule

'Maior' changes for gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Maior' is invariant.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Esta mala é pequena. B: Precisas de uma ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maior
You need a bigger one.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct word. Fill in the Blank

Minhas responsabilidades agora são ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maiores
Correct the error in the following sentence. Error Correction

A tarefa é mais difícil que grande.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A tarefa é mais difícil que grande.
Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence. Sentence Reorder

maior / minha / é / que / a / sua / casa

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Minha casa é maior que a sua.
Translate the following sentence into Portuguese. Translation

Their problems are bigger than our problems.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Os problemas deles são maiores que os nossos.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses the exception to the rule?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O prédio é mais grande que alto.
Match the adjective with its irregular comparative. Match Pairs

Match the pairs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: [["grande","maior"],["bom","melhor"],["pequeno","menor"],["mau","pior"]]
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Ele é meu irmão ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: maior
Find and fix the error. Error Correction

Essas caixas são maior que as outras.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Essas caixas são maiores que as outras.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Select the best option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A população de Tóquio é maior que a de Lisboa.
How do you say 'This is the biggest challenge'? Translation

Translate the phrase.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Este é o maior desafio.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, you should avoid it. It is considered incorrect in standard Portuguese.

No, 'maior' is invariant. It is the same for masculine and feminine nouns.

The plural is 'maiores'.

No, it can also refer to age or abstract importance.

'Do que' is the standard comparative structure in Portuguese. 'Que' is sometimes used in speech but 'do que' is safer.

No, 'maior' is for size (big), 'melhor' is for quality (good).

Use 'o maior' or 'a maior'.

Yes, the rule is the same, though the use of 'que' vs 'do que' varies slightly.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

mayor

Portuguese is stricter about avoiding 'mais grande'.

French low

plus grand

French uses 'plus', Portuguese uses the irregular 'maior'.

German moderate

größer

German adds a suffix, Portuguese uses a different root word.

Japanese none

yori ookii

Japanese uses a particle-based comparison.

Arabic moderate

akbar

Arabic uses a root-pattern system.

Chinese none

bi... da

Chinese uses a comparative marker before the adjective.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Irregular Comparative: Worse (`pior`)
Next
Irregular Comparatives: Menor (Smaller)

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