más pequeño
/mas pekeɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "smaller" is translated into Spanish as más pequeño.
In formal contexts, you might also use the phrase De menor tamaño to express that something is of smaller size.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from más (more) and pequeño (small), literally meaning "more small".
Which one should you use?
While más pequeño refers to physical size, the word menor is often used to describe being smaller in terms of age or importance.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use más pequeña for feminine nouns, más pequeños for masculine plural nouns and más pequeñas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/mas pekeɲo/
Did you know?
- The root of pequeño is likely not Latin but may come from Celtic or Frankish origins, similar to the Welsh 'bach'.
- Adding the suffix -ito to pequeño creates pequeñito, which means 'very small' or conveys a sense of cuteness.
- In some dialects, pequeño is replaced by chico, and más chico is used interchangeably with más pequeño for physical size.
Examples in context
- Es más pequeño que Tokio.It is smaller than Tokyo.This sentence is useful for comparing the size of one place to another using más pequeño.Tatoeba #2132135 by Shishir, translation #42210 by CM
- Este libro es más pequeño.This book is smaller.This sentence is useful for describing a book using más pequeño.Tatoeba #1156321 by marcelostockle, translation #57063 by CK
- Necesito algo más pequeño.I need something smaller.This sentence is useful for requesting an object of a different size using más pequeño.Tatoeba #5549039 by Shishir, translation #2387541 by CK
- El edificio es más pequeño que la casaThe building is smaller than the house
- La habitación es menos grande que la salaThe room is smaller than the living room
- La caja es de menor tamaño que la maletaThe box is of smaller size than the suitcase
- El perro es más chico que el gatoThe dog is smaller than the cat
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are looking at apartments.
- SofíaEste apartamento es muy grande.This apartment is very big.
- MateoSí, busquemos uno más pequeño.Yes, let's look for a smaller one.
- Sofía¿Prefieres un lugar más pequeño?Do you prefer a smaller place?
- MateoSí, sería más barato.Yes, it would be cheaper.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, pequeño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
