mały
/ˈma.wɘ/
In Polish, the word for little (small in size) is mały.
The adjective mały is used to describe objects that are small in physical size. If you want to express a small amount or quantity, such as 'not much', you should use the related word mało instead.
Meaning: small in size (adj)
Which one should you use?
mały is an adjective used to describe physical size, whereas mało is an adverb used to describe a small quantity or amount.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree with the gender of the noun it modifies. While mały is the default masculine form, mała is the feminine form and małe is the neuter form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA is /ˈma.wɘ/.
Did you know?
- The word mały is a distant relative of the English word 'mild', as both likely trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *(s)mel-der.
- The word mały is frequently used as a nickname for a younger sibling or a child regardless of their actual size.
- Polish has a specific way of turning mały into nouns, such as maluch, which refers to a small child or a tiny car.
Examples in context
- Masz bardzo mały wybór.You have very little choice.This sentence shows how to use mały to describe a choice.Tatoeba #3754454 by jeedrek, translation #2543275 by CK
- Co za głupi mały gnojek.What a stupid little twerp.Tatoeba #7185200 by arie, translation #6399213 by deniko
- Staw jest małym jeziorem.A pond is a little lake.This sentence uses małym to describe the size of a lake.Tatoeba #3031989 by jeedrek, translation #3031988 by jeedrek
- Chcę kupić niewielki dom.I want to buy a small house.
- Mam dla ciebie malutki prezent.I have a little gift for you.
- Malutka dziewczynka nie może czekać na urodziny.The little girl can't wait for her birthday.
- Powiedziałeś małą kłamstewkę.You told a little lie.
- Będę to robić przez trochę czasu.I'll be doing it for a little while.
- Trochę mniej słodyczy nie zaszkodzi.A little less candy won't hurt.
- Malutki piesA little dog
- Malutka kotkaA little kitten
- Malutkie dzieciLittle children
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Agnieszka and Paweł are looking at a puppy in a pet shop.
- AgnieszkaSpójrz, ten piesek jest taki mały!Look, this puppy is so little!
- PawełTak, on jest naprawdę malutki.Yes, he is really tiny.
- AgnieszkaChciałabym mieć takiego małego psa.I would like to have such a little dog.
- PawełTo będzie świetny pomysł, Agnieszko.That will be a great idea, Agnieszka.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little” translations and entries mały, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mały, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
