Questions & Answers about Es mejor que no te compares con otras personas.
Why is it compares and not comparas?
Because es mejor que... normally triggers the subjunctive in Spanish.
- te comparas = indicative
- te compares = present subjunctive
Spanish uses the subjunctive here because the sentence expresses a recommendation, judgment, or preferred action:
- Es mejor que no te compares... = It’s better that you don’t compare yourself...
This is a very common pattern:
- Es bueno que...
- Es importante que...
- Es mejor que...
All of these usually take the subjunctive.
Why is there a que after Es mejor?
The que introduces a new clause: that you don’t compare yourself...
So the structure is:
- Es mejor que + subjunctive
Literally:
- Es mejor = It is better
- que no te compares... = that you not compare yourself...
In natural English, we often say It’s better not to compare yourself..., but Spanish commonly uses the full clause with que.
Could you also say Es mejor no compararte con otras personas?