pequeno
/piˈkẽ.nu/
The English word 'little' is translated into Portuguese as pequeno.
Pequeno is used to describe something that is small in size. Other related words include pequenino for 'tiny', escasso for 'scarce' and mínimo for 'minimum'.
Meaning: small in size (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use pequeno to describe physical size. In contrast, if you want to describe an insufficient or small quantity or amount, use pouco.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, pequeno must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use pequena for feminine singular nouns, pequenos for masculine plural nouns and pequenas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /piˈkẽ.nu/.
Did you know?
- While pequeno means 'small', the phrase pequeno almoço is used in Portugal to refer specifically to 'breakfast'.
- In Brazil, the diminutive suffix -inho is often added to pequeno to create pequeninho, but it is also used on words that are already large to express affection or irony.
- The word pequeno shares an ancient root with the Italian word piccolo, though they sound different today.
Examples in context
- Não é tão pequeno.It's not so little.Tatoeba #8062640 by MacGyver, translation #2891620 by CK
- Está um pouco pequeno.It's a little small.Tatoeba #6161509 by User75171, translation #6159782 by leishenki
- Há um pequeno problema.There's one little problem.Tatoeba #7590211 by Ricardo14, translation #2663450 by CK
- O livro é pequeno.The book is little.
- Ele tem uma casa pequena.He has a little house.
- Eu tenho pouco dinheiro.I have little money.
- Você trabalha há pouco tempo aqui.You have been working here for a short time.
- Eu preciso de menos açúcar na minha dieta.I need less sugar in my diet.
- Ele fala um pouco menos que ela.He speaks a little less than her.
- Um vestido pequenoA little dress
- Uma mesa pequenaA little table
- Um livro pequenoA little book
- Umas casas pequenasSome little houses
- Ele comprou uma casinha pequena.He bought a little house.
- Você poderia falar um pouco mais devagar?Could you speak a little slower?
- Eu tenho pouco tempo livre hoje.I have little free time today.
- Os cachorros são pequenos e fofos.The dogs are small and cute.
- Estou um pouco cansado hoje.I am a little tired today.
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Juliana are looking at an apartment for rent.
- GabrielVocê gosta deste quarto, Juliana?Do you like this room, Juliana?
- JulianaSim, mas ele é muito pequeno.Yes, but it is very small.
- GabrielEu acho que cabe a nossa cama.I think our bed fits.
- JulianaTalvez, mas o armário também é pequeno.Maybe, but the closet is also small.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little” translations and entries pequeno, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pequeno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
