le plus petit
In French, "smallest" is translated as le plus petit.
Used to describe the person or thing that has the least size compared to others.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is constructed literally as the most small, where plus (more) is used to create the superlative degree.
How does it change in a sentence?
The superlative form must agree in gender with the noun it modifies: use le plus petit for masculine nouns and la plus petite for feminine nouns. The superlative form must agree in number with the noun it modifies: use les plus petits for masculine plural nouns and les plus petites for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- The word petit is often used as a term of endearment, such as in mon petit chou, which literally means 'my little cabbage'.
- In French, le plus petit can be used to refer to the youngest person in a group, not just the shortest.
- The word petit descends from the Vulgar Latin pittitus, which is related to the Latin pitulus meaning 'small child'.
Examples in context
- Ce livre est le plus petit de tous.This book is the smallest of all the books.This sentence shows how to use le plus petit to compare the size of books.Tatoeba #7427239 by Micsmithel, translation #57028 by sundown
- Un est le plus petit nombre impair.One is the smallest odd number.This sentence uses le plus petit to describe the smallest odd number.Tatoeba #13475880 by felix63, translation #13238598 by atitarev
- Le Vatican est le plus petit pays du monde.The Vatican is the smallest country in the world.This sentence uses le plus petit to identify the smallest country.Tatoeba #3483149 by Lulantis, translation #2454283 by Hybrid
- C'est le plus petit livre que j'ai jamais vuIt's the smallest book I've ever seen
- Le moindre faux pas peut avoir des conséquences importantesThe smallest misstep can have significant consequences
- Elle prêtait attention aux détails les plus infimesShe paid attention to the smallest details
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are looking at different-sized gift boxes in a shop.
- LucasC'est le plus petit modèle ?Is it the smallest model?
- ChloéOui, c'est le plus petit de la collection.Yes, it's the smallest in the collection.
- LucasIl est vraiment mignon, ce petit coffret.It's really cute, this little box.
- ChloéJe suis d'accord, il est parfait.I agree, it's perfect.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, petit, plus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
