सानो
sāno[säno]
The Nepali word for "little" is सानो (sāno).
सानो is used to describe something that is small in size.
Meaning: small in size (adj)
Which one should you use?
You may encounter Alpa (अल्प) or Laghu (लघु) in more formal contexts. Alpa (अल्प) translates to "little", whereas Laghu (लघु) can mean both "small" or "slight".
How do you pronounce it?
sāno
Did you know?
- In Nepali culture, adding सानो to a name or using it to refer to a younger sibling often acts as a term of endearment rather than just a description of size.
- The Sanskrit ancestor of सानो also carried the connotation of being 'gentle', suggesting a historical link between being small and being delicate.
- The word लघु is used in Nepali to describe a 'short' or 'small' version of a text, such as a summary, which is a specialized use different from describing a small object.
Examples in context
- टमले एउटा सानो आरुको रूख रोपे।Tom planted a little peach tree.This sentence shows how to use सानो to describe a peach tree.Tatoeba #12037810 by taro, translation #12037800 by shekitten
- मलाई लाग्छ कि त्यो कार तपाईका लागि अलिकति सानो छ।I think that car is a little too small for you.This sentence uses सानो to describe the size of a car.Tatoeba #12041747 by taro, translation #10136220 by CK
- यो अल्प समयले सानो प्रभाव छोडेको छ।This short period has left a little impact.
- यो एउटा सानो घर हो।yo euṭā sāno ghara ho.This is a small house.
Example conversation
Sumit and Pratiksha are looking at a new apartment.
- सुमित Sumitयो कोठा धेरै सानो छ, हैन?Yo kotha dherai sano cha, haina?This room is too small, isn't it?
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaहो, तर यो सफा छ।Ho, tara yo sapha cha.Yes, but it is clean.
- सुमित Sumitमलाई अलि ठूलो कोठा चाहिन्छ।Malai ali thulo kotha chahincha.I need a slightly larger room.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaहामी अर्को सानो घर खोजौँ।Hami arko sano ghar khojau.Let's look for another small house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little” translations and entries सानो, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries सानो, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
