Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صغير | sghir | |
| صغيرة | sghira | feminine form |
صغير describes the size or age of something, as in الطفل صغير, 'the child is little'. It is different from شوية, which describes a small amount rather than a small size.
What does it mean word for word?
صغير is shared with Standard Arabic and most Arabic dialects, describing size or young age.
Which one should you use?
صغير is about size or age, while شوية is about quantity. A ولد صغير is a small or young boy, while شوية ديال الخبز is a little bread.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
صغير is used at every level of speech, with no separate formal word.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is the same across Morocco and across most Arabic dialects.
How does it change in a sentence?
صغير agrees in gender and number: صغيرة (sghira) feminine, صغار (sghar) plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress falls on the second syllable: sghir, said quickly with a soft gh sound.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners sometimes use صغير where شوية is meant, confusing small size with a small amount.
Did you know?
- Darija keeps صغير for size or age distinct from شوية for a small quantity, a distinction English blurs by using 'little' for both.
- The plural صغار is also used on its own to mean 'the little ones', referring to young children in a family.
Examples in context
- الطفل صغير بزاف دابا.ttfel sghir bzzaf daba.The child is very little now.
- عندها بنت صغيرة.andha bnt sghira.She has a little daughter.
- شريت دار صغيرة حدا البحر.sherit dar sghira hda lbher.I bought a small house near the sea.
Example conversation
Two neighbours, Samira and Houda, talk about their children.
- Samiraشحال عندك من الدراري الصغار؟shhal 3andek men ddrari ssghar?How many little children do you have?
- Houdaعندي بنت صغيرة وولد كبير.andi bnt sghira w weld kbir.I have a little daughter and an older son.
- Samiraشحال عندها من العمر البنت؟shhal 3andha men l3omr lbnt?How old is the little girl?
- Houdaعندها تلاتة سنين غير.andha tlata snin ghir.She is only three years old.
