Japanese word

微小

Pronunciation

Romajibishō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivetiny

Example

その変化は微小です。so no hen ka wa bi shō de su

That change is tiny.

Illustration for 微小 (tiny)

More examples

この装置は、微小な部品まで正確に測定できます。ko no sō chi wa bi shō na bu hin ma de sei kaku ni soku tei de ki ma su

This device can measure even tiny parts accurately.

Core concept

Describes something whose size or degree is so small that it barely stands out.

Common phrases

  • 微小な誤差bi shō na go sa

    tiny error

  • 微小な傷bi shō na kizu

    tiny scratch

  • 微小な粒子bi shō na ryū shi

    tiny particle

Similar words

微細bisai: It describes something made up of very small parts or details.
極小kyokushō: It describes a size or degree that is extremely small and barely noticeable.
微少bishō: It describes an amount or degree that is extremely small.
僅少kinshō: It describes a quantity that is very small and limited.

Definition in Japanese

大きさや程度がごくわずかで、ほとんど目立たないさま。ō ki sa ya tei do ga go ku wa zu ka de ho to n do me da ta na i sa ma

Word origin

微小 (bishō) combines 微 (bi, "slight") and 小 (shō, "small"), with both kanji directly expressing a very small size or degree.

Usage tips

  • 微小 (bishō) is more formal and technical than 小さい (chiisai), so it often describes changes, differences, or amounts rather than everyday objects.

Opposites

Related words

  • 微小化bishōkaminiaturizationnoun
  • 微小さbishōsatininessnoun

Word lists with this word