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Ese porcentaje es menos de la mitad.

Ese porcentaje es menos de la mitad.
That percentage is less than half.
From Lesson 259:Comparisons with numerals (más de, menos de)·Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about Ese porcentaje es menos de la mitad.

Why is it menos de instead of menos que?
In Spanish, when you are comparing a number, fraction, or specific quantity like la mitad, you use menos de or más de. You use menos que when comparing characteristics or two different things.
Could I use medio instead of la mitad here?
No, because they function differently. La mitad is a noun meaning the half. Medio is typically used as an adjective modifying another word, like in medio kilo. Since we are referring to a specific noun amount in this sentence, we need la mitad.
How do I know if porcentaje is masculine or feminine?
You can tell it is masculine because of the word ese in front of it. As a general rule, almost all Spanish nouns ending in -aje are masculine. Other common examples include el viaje and el mensaje.
Why is it ese porcentaje and not eso porcentaje?
Ese is the masculine singular word for that when it comes directly before a masculine noun. Eso is the neutral form, which is only used when referring to an unknown object, an abstract idea, or a general situation. It never goes right in front of a noun.
Why do we use es instead of está if the percentage could change tomorrow?
In Spanish, mathematical facts, values, and definitions always use the verb ser, such as es, even if the number itself might fluctuate over time. You are stating the mathematical identity of the percentage.

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