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How to Say ‘Is he older or younger?’ in Mexican Spanish

¿Es mayor o menor?

es mah-YOR oh meh-NOR

[es mah-YOR oh meh-NOR]

💬 Usage Tip: With family, mayor and menor mean "older" and "younger," not "bigger" and "smaller."

Phrase Breakdown

¿Es mayor

es mah-YOR

Is he older

'Mayor' means 'older' when talking about siblings. Stress the last syllable: 'ma-YOR'.

Example

Mi hermana es mayor.

My sister is older.

Words in this phrase

[es]

Form of ser used to identify something.

Example

Es la puerta final de este pasillo.

It is the final gate in this hallway.

mayor

[mah-YOR]

older

Comparative of age: older (sibling).

Example

Mi hermana mayor es doctora.

My older sister is a doctor.

o menor?

oh meh-NOR

or younger?

'O' means 'or', and 'menor' means 'younger'. Raise your voice at the end of the question.

Example

¿Café o té?

Coffee or tea?

Words in this phrase

[oh]

A conjunction meaning "or."

Example

Tus hermanos o hermanas están en casa.

Your brothers or sisters are at home.

menor

[meh-NOR]

younger

Comparative of age: younger (sibling).

Example

Tengo un primo menor.

I have a younger cousin.

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