Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| ма́ленький | málenʹkij |
| ма́лый | mályj |
The words in this pack are used to describe things that are not large. While ма́ленький is the standard way to say small, you may encounter other terms depending on whether you are being affectionate or technical.
Which one should you use?
ма́ленький is the common form and often carries a diminutive or affectionate nuance, similar to saying "tiny" or "little" in English. In contrast, ма́лый is used for formal or technical contexts, such as describing minor changes or small amounts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree with the gender of the noun it modifies. Use ма́ленькая for feminine nouns, ма́ленькое for neuter nouns and ма́ленькие for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
málenʹkij
When do people say it?
In informal Russian, speakers use affectionate terms like Малыш (often for children or loved ones), Крошка (meaning "crumb" but used as a nickname) and Малютка (a casual term for babies or small children).
Did you know?
- The word малютка can refer to a baby, but it is also the name of a famous Soviet-era miniature tractor designed for small farms.
- Russian has a complex system of diminutives where adding specific suffixes to маленький can change the mood from simple size to extreme tenderness or sarcasm.
- Using маленький to describe a person's age is common, but if used for an adult, it often implies a lack of maturity or innocence rather than physical height.
Examples in context
- Маленький домSmall house
- Маленькая кошкаSmall cat
- Маленькое окноSmall window
- Маленькой девушкеTo a small girl
- Этот дом очень ма́ленький.Etot dom ochen' ma'len'kiy.This house is very small.
- У меня есть ма́ленький кот.U menya yest' ma'len'kiy kot.I have a small cat.
- Мне нужен ма́ленький стакан.Mne nuzhen ma'len'kiy stakan.I need a small glass.
Example conversation
Sergey and Olga are looking at a gift in a shop.
- Сергей SergeyЭтот подарок слишком ма́ленький.Etot podarok slishkom ma'len'kiy.This gift is too small.
- Ольга OlgaА этот чемодан?A etot chemodan?What about this suitcase?
- Сергей SergeyОн тоже ма́ленький.On tozhe ma'len'kiy.It is also small.
- Ольга OlgaДавай поищем другой.Davay poiskhem drugoy.Let's look for another one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
