เล็ก
lék/lek̚˦˥/
The English word 'small' is translated into Thai as เล็ก (lék).
เล็ก is used to describe physical size, such as a small object or a small person.
Meaning: not large (adj)
Which one should you use?
While เล็ก means small, the word จิ๋ว is used to describe something that is extremely small or miniature.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding น้อย (nɔ́ɔy), meaning 'few' or 'little', to เล็ก (lék) creates the phrase เล็กน้อย to mean 'a little bit' or 'a small amount'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is lék.
Did you know?
- In Thailand, เล็ก is often used as a nickname for children or adults regardless of their actual size. It is a common way to denote a 'younger' sibling or a smaller person within a family hierarchy.
- In Thai culture, describing someone as เล็ก can be a term of endearment, but doing so to a superior or an elder can be seen as impolite or overly casual.
- The word เล็ก (lék) shares a common ancestor with the language spoken in Laos, such as the word ເລັກ (lek) used there.
Examples in context
- มันเล็กเกินไปIt's too small.This sentence shows how to use เล็ก to describe something being too small.Tatoeba #8728790 by pastelite, translation #267535 by CK
- ชามนี้เล็กเกินไปThis bowl is too small.This sentence shows how to use เล็ก when referring to the size of a bowl.Tatoeba #10162192 by Somsak, translation #6900280 by kaiperkins271
- หนังสือเล่มนั้นเล็กThat book is small.This sentence shows how to use เล็ก to describe the size of a book.Tatoeba #8671143 by pastelite, translation #633939 by blay_paul
- ขวดน้ำเล็กSmall water bottle
- ครัวเล็กSmall kitchen
- เหรียญเล็กSmall coin
- จำนวนน้อยSmall quantity
- ความสำคัญเล็กน้อยA little importance
- บ้านจิ๋วTiny house
- รถเล็กๆจิ๋วๆSmall car
- ชามจิ๋วSmall bowl
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a puppy in a pet shop.
- วิทวัส Witthawatตัวนี้เล็กมากเลยtua ni lek mak loeiThis one is very small.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanใช่ค่ะ ตัวเล็กน่ารักดีchai kha, tua lek na-rak diYes, it's small and cute.
- วิทวัส Witthawatมันจะโตขึ้นไหมman cha to khuen maiWill it grow larger?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanน่าจะตัวไม่ใหญ่มากค่ะna cha tua mai yai mak khaIt probably won't be very big.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries เล็ก, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries เล็ก, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
