Breakdown of El termómetro marca un grado menos que ayer.
ayer
yesterday
que
than
menos
less
el termómetro
the thermometer
marcar
to read
el grado
the degree
un
one
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Questions & Answers about El termómetro marca un grado menos que ayer.
Why is it marca here instead of verbs like indica or mide?
With instruments, Spanish commonly uses marcar to mean “show/read.” Indicar is also fine (a bit more formal), while medir describes the capability (“to measure”) rather than the displayed reading. So: El termómetro marca 18 grados is the idiomatic choice.
Why simple present marca and not está marcando?
Spanish simple present often covers what English expresses with “is …ing” when talking about current states or readings. Está marcando is possible but sounds like you’re focusing on the ongoing action; marca is the neutral choice for a current reading.
Do I need the article in El termómetro?
Yes. Spanish normally uses a definite article with singular count nouns when the referent is specific or understood from context. El termómetro = “the thermometer (we’re looking at).” Un termómetro would mean “a thermometer.”
Why un grado and not uno grado?
Before a masculine singular noun, uno shortens to un: un grado. The same happens with alguno → algún, ninguno → ningún.
How would I say it with other numbers, like 21 degrees?
Use the shortened form before a masculine plural noun: veintiún grados menos, treinta y un grados menos. For 2: dos grados menos.
Why menos que and not menos de?
- Use menos que to compare two things: un grado menos que ayer.
- Use menos de before a number/quantity: menos de cinco grados.
Why is it que ayer and not de ayer?
In comparisons you use que: menos que ayer. De ayer means “yesterday’s,” as a modifier: la temperatura de ayer. If you use other structures, you’d say: por debajo de la (temperatura) de ayer, inferior a la de ayer.
Is something omitted after que ayer? Should it be que ayer marcaba?
It’s an elliptical comparative. The full forms would be …menos que ayer marcaba or …menos que marcó ayer, but Spanish normally omits the repeated part: …menos que ayer.
Can I say Hace un grado menos que ayer?
Yes. That’s very common in Spain when talking about the weather in general, not a specific device: Hoy hace un grado menos que ayer.
Does this necessarily mean it’s colder?
In everyday context, yes: a thermometer “one degree less” implies a lower temperature (colder). If needed, you can make it explicit: Hace un grado menos (hace más frío).
Celsius or Fahrenheit in Spain? How do I specify?
Spain uses Celsius. To specify, say grados Celsius (also heard: grados centígrados). Example: marca 18 grados Celsius.
Can I move ayer or add hoy?
Yes: Hoy el termómetro marca un grado menos que ayer is very natural. You can also front other time phrases: A esta hora, el termómetro… The comparative part (…que ayer) typically stays at the end.
Can I say La temperatura marca…?
More natural is La temperatura es de 18 grados, alcanza 18 grados, or baja un grado respecto a ayer. El termómetro marca… is the standard collocation with marcar.
Is Está un grado menos que ayer okay?
Not as a standalone with estar. Prefer: Estamos a 18 grados, un grado menos que ayer, or La temperatura es un grado inferior a la de ayer / está un grado por debajo de la de ayer.
Does menos agree in gender or number?
No. Menos is invariable: un grado menos, dos grados menos, una décima menos.
How do I pronounce termómetro?
Stress the bold syllable: ter-MÓ-me-tro. A simple guide: “tehr-MOH-meh-troh.” The single r is a light tap.
Why que and not accented qué?
Because it’s not a question/exclamation. Que here is the comparative conjunction. Qué (with accent) is only used in interrogatives/exclamatives.
What are natural alternatives to this sentence?
- Hoy hace un grado menos que ayer.
- La temperatura es un grado inferior a la de ayer.
- La temperatura está un grado por debajo de la de ayer.
Is marcar transitive here? Do I need the preposition a?
Yes, marcar is transitive (“to show”). Its direct object is un grado menos; no personal a is needed: El termómetro marca un grado menos…
How do I say “about one degree less”?
Use an approximator: casi un grado menos, aproximadamente un grado menos, como un grado menos.