MORE OR LESS

More or less
How to say "more or less" in English?
more or less

One of the expressions that the student learns just starting to study English is "more or less" which is obviously more or less. It sounds too easy, at first glance, but its correct use requires some attention due to dissimilarities in using this expression in Portuguese and English.

Here in Brazil, "more or less" usually describe approaches, emotions, tastes, feelings, uncertainties. Not for lack of wealth of vocabulary, but for economics and language vices that end up being incorporated into our daily lives.

In English, more or less is an expression restricted to demonstrate orders of magnitude. Then, its use is identical in both languages. Please note:

Roughly 12 million people living in São Paulo.
There are more or less 12 million people living in São Paulo.
They killed about 300 people in the disaster.
More or less 300 people Were killed in the disaster.
The repair of your car will cost $ 100 or so.
The repairs to your car will cost $ 100 more or less.
Now, consider some situations in which the expression more or less would not be used for adding "more or less" in English.

more or less

A: How was the party yesterday? B: More or less.
A: How was the party last night? B: So so. / Not too bad. / Not so bad. / It was not much. / Middling.
A: How are you feeling? B: More or less.
A: How are you feeling? B: Not too good. / A little under the weather. / I Could feel better. / Not very well. / So so. / Middling.
A: Do you remember Bill? B: Yes, more or less.
A: Do you remember Bill? B: Yes, I do, vaguely.
A: You like Pamela? B: More or less.
A: Do you like Pamela? B: Yes, she's alright. I suppose. / A little. / Not much. / So so. / Not a lot.
A: Are you hungry? B: More or less.
A: Are you hungry? B: Yes, I'm feeling a bit hungry. / Yes, I am a bit. / Yes, I'm peckish. / I could do with a bite to eat. / So so. / Yes, I am a little.
A: Do you have money? B: More or less.
A: Do you have any money? B: Yes, I have some, but not much. / Yes, a little.
A: You just woke up? B: More or less.
A: Did you just wake up? B: Yes, I just woke up. / I've been up for a few minutes. / I'm still feeling sleepy.
A: You always travels on weekends? B: More or less.
A: Do you always travel at the weekend? B: Yes, Generally. / Yes, in general. / Not every weekend. / Sometimes.
A: The work is done? B: More or less, bit lacking.
A: Is the work ready? B: Yes, Nearly. / Almost. / Not quite.
A: Are you busy? B: More or less.
A: Are you busy? B: A little. / Not too busy. / So so. / Yes, a bit. / Yes, but not too much.
A: Lack much to get? B: More or less.
A: Will it be long before we arrive? B: I do not know, perhaps a couple of hours.
A: I had a lot of people in the Rolling Stones concert? B: More or less.
A: Were there a lot of people at the Rolling Stones concert? B: Yes, about forty-thousand.
A: How was your vacation? B: More or less.
A: Did you have good weather on your holiday? B: It was not bad. / So so. / Fair. / Not too hot not too cold. Could've been better. / Middling.
Virtually all the answers in English could be translated perfectly. It's a shame that the grandeur of the Portuguese language to be replaced, in all these circumstances, "more or less".

More or less
I found a pearl! During a conversation between friends, one participant says, "More or less." The listener, insistent, back to question: "But it's more for more or for less" Do not try to never say something like that in English or your sanity mental will be called into question.