صغير
ṣuḡayyar/sˤa.ɣiːr/Egyptian Arabic
The English word "little" is translated to Arabic as صغير (ṣuḡayyar). Wiktionary also lists صَغِير (ṣaḡīr) and زغير (zḡīr).
Meaning: small in size (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| صغير | ṣuḡayyar | /sˤa.ɣiːr/ | Egyptian Arabic |
| صَغِير | ṣaḡīr | ||
| زغير | zḡīr | South Levantine Arabic |
The term صغير is used to describe something that is small in size or refers to someone's age. In formal contexts, you may see this used in specific phrases such as صغير الحجم to mean "small in size", صغير العمر to mean "young" or صغير العدد to mean "few in number".
Which one should you use?
While صغير refers to physical size or age, the related form قليل is used to describe a small quantity or amount (meaning "not much").
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, the word for "little" is commonly expressed using the term شوي. In Egyptian Arabic, the form صغير is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The broken plural form of the adjective is صغار.
How do you pronounce it?
ṣuḡayyar (/sˤa.ɣiːr/)
Did you know?
- The word صغير shares a common ancestral root with the Biblical Hebrew word צָעִיר for 'young'.
- In some Levantine dialects, you might hear زغير instead of the standard صغير, which can confuse those only trained in Modern Standard Arabic.
- In some contexts, calling someone صغير can imply a lack of experience or immaturity rather than just a young age.
Examples in context
- كان زيري صغير الحجم.Ziri was little.This sentence demonstrates the use of صغير to describe size.Tatoeba #10228975 by Amastan, translation #10204469 by Amastan
- كان لزيري مشكل صغير.Ziri had a little problem.This sentence shows how صغير can describe a small problem.Tatoeba #10259652 by Amghar, translation #10216299 by Amastan
- كان زيري طفلا صغيرا.Ziri was a little boy.This sentence illustrates using صغير to describe a young boy.Tatoeba #11976429 by dididodo, translation #10225682 by Amastan
- بدي شويّة ماءI want a little water
- هيدا ثقيل شويّةThis is a little heavy
- عندي قطعة صغيرة من الشوكولاتةI have a small piece of chocolate
- هو بيفهم قليل جداًHe understands very little
- هيدي قطعة شوي صغيرةThis is a little small piece
- ما تعرف تحكي شوي لبناني؟Can you speak a little Lebanese?
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Youssef are looking at a new apartment.
- مريم Maryamالبيت ده صغير أوي يا يوسف.el bet da soghayar awy ya Youssef.This house is very small, Youssef.
- يوسف Youssefبس هو مريح وجميل.bas howa morih we gameel.But it is comfortable and beautiful.
- مريم Maryamبس أنا عايزة مكان أكبر.bas ana 'ayza makan akbar.But I want a bigger place.
- يوسف Youssefماشي، هنشوف غيره بكرة.mashi, hanshof gheru bokra.Okay, we will look for another one tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little” translations and entries صغير, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries صغير, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
