小さすぎる
chiisasugiru
In Japanese, "too small" is said as 小さすぎる (chiisasugiru).
This phrase is used to describe something that is smaller than the required or desired size.
Which one should you use?
While 小さすぎる is the standard form, you may encounter ちっちゃすぎる to express that something is way too small or too little or ちいさすぎます for a polite expression.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something was too small in the past, you change the suffix to the past tense form 小さすぎた. To make the phrase polite, you can add ます to the end to form 小さすぎます.
How do you pronounce it?
chiisasugiru
Did you know?
- While 小さすぎる describes physical size, Japanese uses a completely different word, 少ない, to say a quantity or number of things is 'too small'.
- In a social context, Japanese speakers often avoid saying 小さすぎる directly to a host or shopkeeper to avoid being rude, instead using vague phrases like 'it is a bit tight'.
- When using 小さすぎる to describe a person's physical stature, it can carry a much more sensitive or even rude connotation than describing an object. In many social contexts, commenting on someone being 'too small' is considered impolite.
Examples in context
- 小さすぎる。It's too small.Tatoeba #442054 by bunbuku, translation #267535 by CK
- 文字が小さすぎる。The font is too small.Tatoeba #11853813 by small_snow, translation #10349816 by ddnktr
- この靴は小さすぎる。These shoes are too small.Tatoeba #762116 by arihato, translation #413050 by CM
- この部屋めっちゃ小さい！This room is so small!
- このシャツちっちゃすぎるよ！This shirt is way too small!
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are trying on a new shirt at a clothing store.
- 美咲 Misakiこのシャツ、小さすぎるよ。Kono shatsu, chiisasugiru yo.This shirt is too small.
- 蓮 Ren本当だね。もっと大きいサイズを探そう。Hontou da ne. Motto ookii saizu o sagasou.You're right. Let's look for a larger size.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮君のサイズはどれかな？Ren-kun no saizu wa dore kana?I wonder what your size is, Ren.
- 蓮 RenLサイズがいいと思う。Eru saizu ga ii to omou.I think a large size would be good.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
