perrito
/peˈrito/
The English phrase 'small dog' is translated into Spanish as perrito.
perrito refers to a dog that is small in size or a cute, young dog. It is often used to express endearment or to describe a puppy, regardless of its actual physical size.
Which one should you use?
While perrito uses a diminutive to imply smallness or affection, perro pequeño is a more literal, descriptive way to state the dog's size without the emotional connotation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a small female dog, the masculine form perrito changes to the feminine perrita. The plural form is created by adding -s to the end of the word.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈrito/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the diminutive suffix -ito in perrito can be used to describe a dog that is physically massive, such as a Great Dane, simply to show affection.
- The suffix -ito in perrito is a descendant of the Late Latin -ittus, which was used to create terms of endearment.
- Because the '-ito' suffix is so versatile, a Spanish speaker might call a 'dear little coffee' a cafecito, showing that the affection used for a perrito applies to inanimate objects too.
Examples in context
- El perrito cruzó la carretera.The small dog crossed the road.This sentence shows the use of perrito in a simple action.Tatoeba #1116480 by Shishir, translation #1103009 by jamessilver
- Hay un perrito esperando a la puerta de una tienda.There's a small dog waiting at the door of a store.This sentence shows perrito in the context of a dog waiting at a shop.Tatoeba #3691523 by Shishir, translation #8743433 by Solana
- ¡Mira ese perrito chiquito!Look at that little dog!
- Sí, ¡es un cachorro chiqui muy tierno!Yes, he is a very lovely little puppy!
- Ese perrito es muy juguetón.That small dog is very playful.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are walking in a park.
- Javier¿Viste a ese perrito blanco?Did you see that small white dog?
- ElenaSí, es muy lindo.Yes, it is very cute.
- JavierParece un perrito muy feliz.He looks like a very happy small dog.
- ElenaEs verdad, corre mucho.It's true, he runs a lot.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry perrito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perrito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
