mayor
Lemma Details
Translation: bigger; larger; greater; older; major; main
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: From Latin 'maior' (greater, larger), which is the comparative form of 'magnus' (great, large). This shares the same Latin root as English words like 'major', 'majority', and 'mayor'. The English cognate 'major' retains similar meanings of importance or superiority, though Spanish 'mayor' has broader applications including age comparisons.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of a city 'mayor' as someone who is 'greater' in authority than regular citizens.
- Remember that 'mayor' sounds like 'major', which also means 'greater' or 'more important'.
- For the age meaning, think: 'The mayor is usually an older person with more experience.'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, being 'mayor' (older) often carries connotations of respect and authority. The concept of 'los mayores' (the elders) is important in family structures. Also, 'mayor de edad' specifically refers to someone who has reached the legal age of majority (18 in Spain and most Latin American countries).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Mayor' means 'bigger/older' while 'mejor' means 'better'. They look and sound similar but have different meanings and uses.
This word:
Él es mayor que yo.
He is older than me.
Notes: Both words are comparative forms: 'mayor' is the comparative of 'grande' (big) and 'viejo' (old), while 'mejor' is the comparative of 'bueno' (good).
Mnemonic: 'Mayor' has an 'a' like 'age' (for older) or 'large' (for bigger), while 'mejor' has an 'e' like in 'better'.
Explanation: In English, 'mayor' refers to a city official (alcalde), but Spanish 'mayor' means 'bigger/older'. This can cause confusion for English speakers.
Confused word:
El alcalde de Madrid inauguró el nuevo parque.
The mayor of Madrid inaugurated the new park.
Notes: Interestingly, the English word 'mayor' and Spanish 'mayor' share the same Latin root, but evolved to have different primary meanings.
Mnemonic: Remember: Spanish 'mayor' is about size or age, while the city official is 'alcalde'.