🇯🇵 How to say

“small” in Japanese

小さいちいさい
Illustration of "small" in a Japanese cultural setting
A child is holding a small toy in their hand, smiling happily. The toy is colorful and fits perfectly in their palm, showing how little it is compared to the child's hand.

Usage note

The word 小さい (ちいさい) means 'small' or 'little' and is used to describe things that are not large in size. It's a common adjective in everyday conversation, making it useful for beginners.

Examples

  • この犬は小さいです。

    This dog is small.

  • 小さい家に住んでいます。

    I live in a small house.

  • 小さいリンゴを食べました。

    I ate a small apple.

Quick check

What does "小さい" mean?

  • A. small
  • B. delicious
  • C. big
  • D. (none)

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