maliit
/maliˈʔit/
The Tagalog word for small is maliit.
maliit is an adjective used to describe something that is not large in size.
Meaning: not large (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The way you use maliit depends on its position in a sentence. When describing a subject that follows markers such as ang or si, use maliit alone. However, if you place the adjective directly before a noun, you must insert the linker na between them, resulting in maliit na.
How do you pronounce it?
/maliˈʔit/
Did you know?
- In Tagalog, if you want to say something is 'very small', you would say maliit na maliit, effectively doubling the word for emphasis.
- While maliit refers to physical size, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a person's social status or importance, similar to calling someone 'small-time' in English.
- Tagalog uses the prefix ma- in maliit to indicate an abundance of a quality, effectively saying that the object possesses the quality of being 'small'.
Examples in context
- Maliit po si Tom.Tom is small.This sentence shows how to use maliit when describing a person with the marker si.Tatoeba #11606542 by qwertzu, translation #2203367 by CK
- Maliit ang ari ko.My penis is small.This sentence demonstrates the use of maliit to describe a body part.Tatoeba #11482263 by qwertzu, translation #8953885 by Nylez
- Maliit na silid ito.This is a small room.This sentence illustrates the use of the linker na in the phrase maliit na before a noun.Tatoeba #11571420 by qwertzu, translation #11563248 by sundown
- Ang bahay na ito ay maliit.This house is small.
- Ang munting bulaklak ay napakaganda.The small flower is very beautiful.
- Ang pusa ay payat pero maliit.The cat is thin but small.
- Ang bahay na maliit.The small house
- Ang bagong kotse ay napakaliit.The new car is very small.
- Ang matandang tindahan sa kanto ay maliit ngunit puno ng kasaysayan.The old store at the corner is small but full of history.
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Jose are looking at a new puppy in a pet shop.
- MariaMaliit na puppy ito, Jose.This is a small puppy, Jose.
- JoseOo, napakaliit niya.Yes, he is very small.
- MariaGusto mo ba siyang bilhin?Do you want to buy him?
- JoseOo, ang cute ng maliit na aso na ito.Yes, this small dog is so cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries maliit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
