Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| pequeño | /peˈkeɲo/ |
| chico | /ˈt͡ʃiko/ |
| parvo | /ˈpaɾbo/ |
All these words are used to describe something that is not large. In addition to these forms, you may encounter the informal diminutive chiquito or chiquita to mean small or little and the informal term enano/a, which means dwarf and is used playfully or humorously to describe someone or something small.
Which one should you use?
Chico is a common, more colloquial alternative. Parvo is another form provided for this meaning.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While pequeño is standard, chico is more colloquial. The form chiquito (masculine) and chiquita (feminine) are used in informal contexts. The term enano/a is also informal and used in a playful or humorous manner.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chico is a common way to say small or little in many Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives in Spanish must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For example, use pequeña for feminine singular nouns and pequeños for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈkeɲo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful when using chico as a noun. While it means small when used as an adjective, as a noun it often means boy or kid.
Did you know?
- In certain regions, the word chico is actually a loanword from the Yucatec Maya word chiʼik, rather than being purely Romance in origin.
- Spanish speakers often use the diminutive chiquito to soften a request or make a statement sound less harsh, even when the object being discussed is actually large.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the diminutive chiquito is used not just for size, but to express affection or endearment toward a person.
Examples in context
- El libro es chico.The book is small.This sentence demonstrates the use of chico to describe a book.Tatoeba #6172296 by cueyayotl, translation #660498 by Zifre
- Yo era muy pequeño.I was too small.This sentence shows the use of pequeño to describe a person's size in the past.Tatoeba #4554591 by swyter, translation #4554552 by CK
- El mundo es pequeño.It's a small world.This sentence uses pequeño in the common idiom for a small world.Tatoeba #1466237 by marcelostockle, translation #271093 by CK
- Este apartamento es pequeñoThis apartment is small
- La oferta de vuelos es escasaThe flight options are scarce
- La casa es chiquita, pero muy acogedoraThe house is small, but very cozy
- La tienda tiene una sección pequeña dedicada a productos orgánicos.The store has a small section dedicated to organic products.
- ¡Mira ese gatito chiquito!Look at that little kitten!
- 286 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are shopping for furniture.
- María¿Es este sofá pequeño?Is this sofa small?
- AlejandroNo, es un poco grande para ti, María.No, it is a little big for you, María.
- MaríaEntonces, quiero algo más pequeño.Then, I want something smaller.
- AlejandroMira este modelo pequeño, es perfecto.Look at this small model, it is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries pequeño, chico, parvo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chico, parvo, pequeño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
