Spanish Conversation · Level 114
59 words
Spanish word
diminutivo
Pronunciation
IPA/diminuˈtiβo/
Meaning
- masculine noundiminutive
Example
Mi madre usa el diminutivo cuando habla con los niños.
My mother uses the diminutive when she talks with the children.
More examples
En la conversación entre amigos, a menudo aparece el diminutivo para expresar cercanía.
In conversation among friends, the diminutive often appears to express closeness.
Core concept
A derived form that expresses small size, endearment, or mitigation through suffixes.
Common phrases
el diminutivo de cariño
affectionate diminutive
apodos con diminutivo
nicknames formed with a diminutive
usar diminutivo en conversación informal
using the diminutive in informal speech
Similar words
apodo: Compact affectionate label for someone in informal contexts.
hipocorístico: Familiar shortened pet name exchanged within family or between very close friends.
sobrenombre: Popular informal nickname that spreads through a community and identifies a person.
apelativo: General term of address for calling or referring to a person.
Definition in Spanish
Palabra o forma derivada formada con sufijos como -ito, -illo o -cito para indicar pequeñez, afecto o atenuación del significado.
Word origin
From Latin diminutivus, the Spanish diminutivo is a derivational pattern that alters meaning and tone by adding endings like -ito, -illo, or -cito.
Usage tips
- Diminutives often extend beyond literal size to signal politeness or irony, so un momentito can feel softer or more casual than un momento.
Other meanings
- pet namenoun
Opposites
- aumentativoaugmentative formnoun