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menos ainda que

[ˈmɛ̃.nuz aˈĩ.da ˈkɛ]
adverbial phrase / conjunction
even less than; still less than; let alone
1. Used to introduce something that is even more unlikely, impossible, or undesirable than what was just mentioned; to express that if something is not true, then something else is certainly not true
He can't afford a car, let alone a house.
Ele não pode pagar um carro, menos ainda que uma casa.
2. Used to emphasize a stronger or more extreme case in a comparison or negation
She won't speak to him now, and less still that she would forgive him.
Ela não fala com ele agora, menos ainda que ela o perdoaria.
Synonyms
menos queainda menos quee muito menose nem sequerque dirá
Antonyms
mais queainda mais queinclusive

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
menos ainda que / e muito menos
Common in both formal and informal speech
São Paulo
menos ainda que / quanto mais
Standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
menos ainda que / e nem
Frequently used in conversational speech
Portugal
menos ainda que / e muito menos / que dirá
Common in formal contexts; 'que dirá' is particularly Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

e muito menos
que dirá
e nem sequer
deixa para lá
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