petit
/pə.ti/
The English phrase small is translated into French as petit. Wiktionary also lists minuscule.
Meaning: not large (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| petit | /pə.ti/ /p.ti/ |
| minuscule | /mi.nys.kyl/ |
Petit is used to describe things that are not large, covering both physical size and age, such as in the phrase un petit garçon for a little boy. When you want to emphasize that something is extremely small or tiny, use minuscule.
Which one should you use?
While petit means small, minuscule is used to describe something extremely small or tiny.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word petit changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes: the masculine singular is petit, the feminine singular is petite, the masculine plural is petits and the feminine plural is petites. The word minuscule is used for both masculine and feminine nouns to emphasize extreme smallness.
How do you pronounce it?
/pə.ti/
Did you know?
- The French word for breakfast, petit déjeuner, literally translates to 'little lunch'.
- In French, petit is often used to make a request sound more polite or a situation less daunting, such as asking for un petit service (a small favor) even if the favor is actually quite large.
- The English term 'minuscule' for small handwriting comes from the French lettre minuscule, which refers to lowercase letters.
Examples in context
- Grand ou petit ?Large or small?This example shows how to offer a choice between large and petit.Tatoeba #7499495 by Micsmithel, translation #275473 by CM
- Tu es trop petit.You're too small.This sentence uses petit to describe someone's size.Tatoeba #8456615 by felix63, translation #5743904 by Cainntear
- Ce pain est petit.This loaf of bread is small.This sentence shows petit being used to describe the size of a loaf of bread.Tatoeba #1771785 by gillux, translation #1771771 by gone2bacolod
- Le village a une petite église.The village has a small church.
- Elle est de petite taille mais très dynamique.She is small in stature but very dynamic.
- Les mannequins recherchés doivent être de petite taille.The models sought should be small in height.
- Viens avec moi dans ce p'tit café sympa.Come with me to this cute little café.
- Cette p'tite fleur est magnifique!This little flower is beautiful!
- Regarde ce minuscule papillon sur la fleur!Look at that tiny butterfly on the flower!
- J'ai trouvé une minuscule clé dans ma poche.I found a tiny key in my pocket.
- Les bambins sont adorables dans leurs costumes d'Halloween!The little ones are adorable in their Halloween costumes!
- Mon petit chéri, tu es adorable!My little darling, you are adorable!
- Ma petite sœur est la personne la plus importante pour moi.My little sister is the most important person to me.
- Il y a une petite chance qu'il vienne ce soir.There is a small chance he will come tonight.
- Tu devrais choisir une petite portion, sinon tu auras trop à manger.You should choose a small portion, or else you'll have too much to eat.
- Une petite maison charmante.A small charming house.
- Un petit bijou brillant.A small sparkling jewel.
- 717 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are looking at a souvenir shop window.
- EmmaRegarde ce petit cadeau pour Nathan.Look at this small gift for Nathan.
- NathanC'est très mignon, merci Emma.It is very cute, thanks Emma.
- EmmaEst-ce qu'il est trop petit ?Is it too small?
- NathanNon, il est parfait.No, it is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries petit, minuscule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minuscule, petit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
