Kilo Lingo

/mwɛ̃/

Line drawing of moins
Coloured illustration of moins
#191 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

less, fewer, minus

Word origin

From Latin minus ('less'), the neuter comparative of minor ('smaller').

Origin
Latin
Root
minus
English cognates
minus, minor, minimum

Examples

' réduit .

He works less since he reduced his working hours.

.

It is cheaper to take the train than to rent a car.

Au .

At least ten people have confirmed their attendance for Saturday evening.

Cette ' l'.

This car uses less petrol than the old one.

, .

It's almost too late, the shop shuts in five minutes.

est l'adverbe de comparaison d'infériorité, antonyme de plus. Il entre dans le comparatif (moins grand que) et le superlatif (le moins grand). La structure comparative complète est moins... que : il est moins grand que son frère.

Du moins (at least, at any rate) et au moins (at least) ont des nuances différentes : du moins introduit une correction ou une restriction ; au moins porte sur la quantité minimale. À moins de + infinitif (unless, short of) et à moins que + subjonctif sont des locutions conditionnelles. Moins de devant un nom prend la même construction que plus de (sans article).

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Used in

Stories

(4)

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French · Free printables

moins: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "moins" (less, fewer, minus): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 4.