Japanese Conversation · Level 12
90 words
Japanese word
小さい
Pronunciation
Romajichiisai
Meaning
- i-adjectivesmall
Example
この犬は小さいです。ko no inu wa chii sa i de su
This dog is small.
More examples
この箱は小さいです。ko no bako wa chii sa i de su
This box is small.
この部屋は家族四人には小さいです。ko no heya wa ka zoku yo nin ni wa chii sa i de su
This room is too small for a family of four.
Core concept
Marks something as having less size, space, amount, or intensity than what is being used for comparison.
Common phrases
小さい声chii sa i koe
quiet voice
小さい頃chii sa i koro
when young
Similar words
ちっちゃいchitchai: A casual word for having less size or scale than usual.
少ないsukunai: Describes an amount or number that is below the expected level.
狭いsemai: Describes a place or space that has limited width or room.
Definition in Japanese
大きさ・広がり・数量・程度などが普通より少ないこと。ō ki sa hiro ga ri sū ryō tei do na do ga fu tsū yo ri suku na i ko to
Word origin
小さい (chiisai) comes from the native Japanese adjective 小さし (chihisashi), the older form of the modern adjective meaning "small."
Usage tips
- In beginner Japanese, the adjective comes before the noun in 小さい犬 (chiisai inu), while 小さいです (chiisai desu) makes a polite predicate.
Other meanings
- littlei-adjective
- tinyi-adjective
Opposites
- 大きいōkiibigi-adjective
Related words
- 小ささchiisasasmallnessnoun