pequeño
/peˈkeɲo/
The English word small is translated into Spanish as pequeño. Wiktionary also lists chico and parvo.
Meaning: not large (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| pequeño | /peˈkeɲo/ |
| chico | /ˈt͡ʃiko/ |
| parvo | /ˈpaɾbo/ |
These terms are used to describe something that is not large in size.
Which one should you use?
While pequeño is the standard word for small, chico is often used in Latin America to mean small or little.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form chico is frequently used in Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective pequeño must agree with the noun it describes. It changes to pequeña to agree with feminine nouns, pequeños for masculine plural nouns and pequeñas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈkeɲo/
Did you know?
- While pequeño is common, the word chico actually entered the Spanish language as a loanword from chiʼik in the Yucatec Maya language.
- The word chico is not only a way to say 'small' in Latin America, but it is also a very common way to refer to a 'boy' or a 'young man'.
- Because chico can mean 'small', it can also be used as an affectionate nickname for a person, similar to calling someone 'little one' in English.
Examples in context
- El libro es chico.The book is small.The sentence is useful for seeing chico used to describe size.Tatoeba #6172296 by cueyayotl, translation #660498 by Zifre
- Yo era muy pequeño.I was too small.The sentence is useful for seeing pequeño used in a personal context.Tatoeba #4554591 by swyter, translation #4554552 by CK
- El mundo es pequeño.It's a small world.The sentence is useful for seeing pequeño used in a common expression.Tatoeba #1466237 by marcelostockle, translation #271093 by CK
- un cuarto pequeñoA small room
- una porción pequeñaA small portion of food
- el tamaño reducido de la viviendaThe small size of the house
- la reunión duró poco tiempoThe meeting lasted a short time
- un perro chiquitoA small dog
- El coche tiene un motor pequeño.The car has a small engine.
- La estancia es reducida, pero acogedora.The living room is small but cozy.
- Tomé una porción pequeña de la deliciosa tarta.I had a small slice of the delicious cake.
- Mira ese perro chiquito, es tan lindo.Look at that small dog, it's so cute.
- 286 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at apartments.
- LucíaEste apartamento es muy pequeño.This apartment is very small.
- JavierSí, pero el precio es bueno.Yes, but the price is good.
- LucíaBusquemos uno un poco más grande.Let's look for one a bit larger.
- JavierEstá bien, Javier buscará otro.All right, Javier will look for another one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries pequeño, chico, parvo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chico, parvo, pequeño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
