Translation guide
Describes something as being somewhat small, smaller than average, or tending toward smallness. In Japanese, this is often expressed with phrases meaning 'a little small', 'on the smaller side', or 'rather small'.
To say that something is a bit small or smaller than expected, but not extremely so.
A common, casual way to say 'on the small side'. The suffix 〜め means 'a bit' or 'somewhat'.
この部屋は小さめです。
This room is on the small side.
小さめのサイズをください。
Please give me a size on the small side.
Slightly more formal. やや means 'somewhat' or 'a little'.
この車はやや小さいです。
This car is on the small side.
Literally 'a little small'. Very straightforward and natural.
この靴は少し小さいです。
These shoes are on the small side.
Often used for objects like fruits, dishes, or items that are intentionally small or compact. Implies 'small-sized' or 'petite'.
小ぶりのりんごが好きです。
I like apples on the small side.
To compare something to a typical size and note it is smaller.
Used as an adjective before a noun. 'A somewhat small X'.
小さめの犬を飼っています。
I have a dog on the small side.
Combines やや and 小さめ for emphasis on 'a bit on the small side'.
このカバンはやや小さめですね。
This bag is a bit on the small side, isn't it?
To express that something is a little too small for a purpose.
Casual and common. ちょっと means 'a little' and often implies 'a bit too'.
このTシャツ、ちょっと小さいかも。
This T-shirt might be on the small side.
Means 'a little too small'. Use when it's slightly more than just 'on the small side'.
この箱は少し小さすぎます。
This box is a little too small (on the small side).
The suffix 〜め can be attached to some adjectives to mean 'a bit' or 'somewhat'. For example, 大きめ (a bit big), 長め (a bit long), 安め (a bit cheap). It's very useful for expressing 'on the ~ side' naturally.
今日は早めに帰ります。
I'll go home on the early side today.
小さめ is softer and more relative than 小さい. 小さい simply states 'small', while 小さめ implies 'a bit small compared to expectations or average'. Use 小さめ when you want to avoid sounding too direct or negative.
あのレストランは料理が小さめです。
The portions at that restaurant are on the small side.
彼は年のわりに小さめです。
He's on the small side for his age.