Adverbs of Degree: More, Less, etc.

Let’s look at some more adverbs of degree, which you’ll remember are always invariable. We’ll see examples of each of the following adverbs:

• MaisMore Slow audio Play audio Adverb
• MenosLess Slow audio Play audio Adverb
• TãoSo, so much Slow audio Play audio Adverb
• TantoSo much, too much Slow audio Play audio Quantifiers
• QuaseAlmost Slow audio Play audio Adverb

Mais

Mais simply means more, or plus.
Queres mais pão?Would you like more bread? Slow audio Play audio

Menos

On the flip side, menos is equivalent to the English less, or minus.
Este vestido custa menos do que aquele.This dress costs less than the other. Slow audio Play audio

Tão

Tão is equivalent to so or so much in English and you will see it before adjectives or adverbs.
A casa dela é tão gira!Her house is so cute! Slow audio Play audio
É tão divertido andar numa montanha-russa!Going on a rollercoaster is so much fun! Slow audio Play audio

Tanto

Tanto is equivalent to so much or too much, depending on the context. Tanto has a similar meaning to tão, but differs in that the adverb tanto is used to modify verbs, not adjectives or adverbs.
Credo, isso custa tanto!Heavens, that costs too much! Slow audio Play audio
Gosto tanto de ti!I like you so much! Slow audio Play audio
Important note: Tanto is invariable when it functions as an adverb, as in the examples above where you see it following verbs. However, when tanto functions as an adjective (coming before nouns) it is variable. For example: tantas coisasso many things Slow audio Play audio

Quase

Quase is usually translated to mean almost.
O Manuel é quase carecaManuel is almost bald Slow audio Play audio
By the way… have you noticed that English seems to use more adverbs than Portuguese?