小
xiǎo/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴/
The English word 'little' is translated into Chinese as 小 (xiǎo).
小 is used to describe something that is small in physical size or scale.
Meaning: small in size (adj)
Which one should you use?
小 specifically refers to physical size or scale. In contrast, the related form 少 is used when you want to express that there is a small amount or quantity of something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In northern dialects such as the Beijing dialect, the term 小妞 is used to refer to a young girl in a playful way.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎo (/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴/)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 小 when you actually mean a small amount or quantity of something. In those cases, you should use 少 instead.
Did you know?
- The character 小 may have originated as a simple drawing of three tiny grains of sand. This makes the word a literal visual representation of its own meaning.
- While an English speaker might say 'a little boy', in Chinese, adding 小 to a person's name or title can change the tone from a description of size to a term of endearment or a casual way to address someone younger.
- The character 小 is often used as a prefix to denote a 'junior' version of a professional role or a lower rank in a hierarchy.
Examples in context
- 這小男孩怕黑。The little boy is afraid of the dark.This sentence shows the use of 小 to describe a boy.Tatoeba #6071002 by verdastelo9604, translation #47504 by CK
- 我要一瓶小水。I want a little bottle of water.This sentence demonstrates the use of 小 to describe a bottle.Tatoeba #6158477 by xjjAstrus, translation #7834612 by sharris123
- 汤姆是个小男孩。Tom is a little boy.This sentence provides another example of using 小 to describe a boy.Tatoeba #10696091 by GlossaMatik, translation #10620828 by belvis
- 他长得矮矮的，但是很有趣。He's a bit short, but very interesting.
- 98 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are looking at a puppy together.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你看，這隻小狗很可愛！Nǐ kàn, zhè zhī xiǎo gǒu hěn kě'ài!Look, this little dog is very cute!
- 佳怡 Jiayi對，它真的很小。Duì, tā zhēn de hěn xiǎo.Yes, it really is small.
- 志强 Zhiqiang它的爪子也小小的。Tā de zhuǎ zi yě xiǎo xiǎo de.Its paws are little, too.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想買這樣的小狗。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè yàng de xiǎo gǒu.I want to buy a little dog like this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little” translations and entries 小, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 小, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
