küçük
/cyˈtʃyc/
The English word "small" is translated into Turkish as küçük. Wiktionary also lists ufak.
Meaning: not large (adj)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| küçük | /cyˈtʃyc/ |
| ufak | /uˈfak/ |
Both küçük and ufak are used to describe things that are not large. Beyond physical size, küçük is also used metaphorically to refer to younger siblings or children, much like the English expression "the little one".
Which one should you use?
While both mean small, küçük is the standard and most common word for size. In contrast, ufak often implies that something is "tiny" or "slight" in scale.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create a diminutive form by adding the suffix -cük to küçük, resulting in küçücük. This form means "tiny" or "very small" and is used to add an affectionate or emphasizing tone.
How do you pronounce it?
/cyˈtʃyc/. The /c/ sound is like the [sk] in skew and the /tʃ/ sound is like the [ch] in change.
Did you know?
- The word ufak is actually an evolution of a verb meaning 'to crush' or 'to grind'. It suggests that something is small because it has been broken down into tiny fragments.
- In Turkish, the concept of being 'small' can be turned into a verb using küçülmek, which means 'to become small' or 'to shrink'.
Examples in context
- O çok küçük mü?Is it too small?This sentence is useful for asking if something is too small using küçük.Tatoeba #2012289 by duran, translation #1658056 by Spamster
- Bu ev çok küçük.This house is very small.This sentence is useful for describing a house as very small using küçük.Tatoeba #3646939 by deyta, translation #1115643 by CM
- O ufak bir adam.He is a small man.This sentence is useful for describing a man as small using ufak.Tatoeba #5249310 by deyta, translation #3684416 by AlgideAmygdale
- Bebeğiniz çok minik ve tatlı.Your baby is very small and cute.
- Bu, küçücük bir kurabiye.This is a tiny cookie.
- Köpeğiniz ne kadar minnoş!Your dog is so small and adorable!
- Bu elbiseyi daha da küçültmek istiyorum.I want to make this dress even smaller.
- 1083 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can and Selin are looking at apartments.
- CanBu oda çok küçük, değil mi?This room is very small, isn't it?
- SelinEvet, ama mutfağı çok geniş.Yes, but the kitchen is very spacious.
- CanKüçük bir ev bana yeter.A small house is enough for me.
- SelinHaklısın, burayı tutalım.You are right, let's rent this place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries küçük, ufak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries küçük, ufak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
