小
xiǎo/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴/
The English word "small" is translated into Chinese as 小 (xiǎo).
Meaning: not large (adj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 小 | xiǎo | /ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /ɕiau⁵³/ (Mandarin, Chengdu, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 細 / 细 | sè, suè | Hokkien |
小 is used to describe physical size, but also to denote things that are young or of low status/rank.
Which one should you use?
While 小 refers to physical size, it is distinct from 细 (xì) which refers to thinness or fineness of dimension.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term щё (xio) is used in Dungan, and the forms 細 / 细 (sè, suè) are used in Hokkien.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is xiǎo.
Did you know?
- The character 小 may have originated as a pictogram representing three tiny granules of sand.
- In Chinese culture, 小 is often used as a prefix for nicknames or to refer to a younger sibling, signifying a 'small' or junior position in the family hierarchy.
- The character 细 (thin) contains the radical for 'silk', reflecting its original connection to fine, slender threads.
Examples in context
- 芬兰是小国。Finland is a small country.This sentence is useful for describing a country with the form 小.Tatoeba #3377937 by GlossaMatik, translation #10372189 by DaoSeng
- 這是箇小鎮。This is a small town.This sentence is useful for describing a town with the form 小.Tatoeba #5692349 by verdastelo9604, translation #5500329 by CK
- 那是棵小树。That's a small tree.This sentence is useful for describing a tree with the form 小.Tatoeba #10026224 by GlossaMatik, translation #9180307 by CK
- 我要一杯小咖啡。I would like a small cup of coffee.
- 他有微小的成功。He has achieved a small success.
- 这件细小的艺术品非常精美。This small art piece is very exquisite.
- 我的侄女是个小不点。My niece is a little one.
- 这是一个小玩具。This is a small toy.
- 请给我一小杯水。Please give me a small cup of water.
- 她有个小鼻子。She has a small nose.
- 148 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a small apartment.
- 梓涵 Zihan这个公寓太小了。Zhège gōngyù tài xiǎo le.This apartment is too small.
- 浩然 Haoran确实有点小。Quèshí yǒudiǎn xiǎo.It certainly is a bit small.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，我们再看看别的吧。Hàorán, wǒmen zài kànkàn bié de ba.Haoran, let's look at something else.
- 浩然 Haoran好，听你的。Hǎo, tīng nǐ de.Okay, I'll listen to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries 小, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 小, 細, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
