Translation guide
The English word 'small' describes something of limited size, amount, or importance. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 小さい (chiisai), but the best choice depends on what is being described and the nuance you want to convey.
Describing something as physically small, not large.
The most common and general word for 'small'. Used for concrete objects, people, animals, etc. Can also imply 'little' or 'tiny'.
この犬は小さいですね。
This dog is small, isn't it?
小さい箱をください。
Please give me a small box.
Attributive form of 小さい, used only before nouns. Often sounds slightly more literary or emotive than 小さい.
小さな町に住んでいます。
I live in a small town.
Means 'small-sized' or 'compact', often used for products, devices, or breeds. More technical than 小さい.
小型カメラを探しています。
I'm looking for a compact camera.
Means 'fine' or 'small' in the sense of particles, details, or granularity. Not for general size.
細かい砂が靴に入った。
Fine sand got into my shoes.
Describing a small quantity, low degree, or small number.
Means 'few' or 'little' in quantity. Use this for small amounts, numbers, or frequency. Not for physical size.
今日は人が少ない。
There are few people today.
砂糖が少ないコーヒーが好きです。
I like coffee with little sugar.
Means 'only a little' or 'mere', emphasizing the smallness of an amount. Often used with numbers.
Formal term for 'small quantity', used in instructions, recipes, or technical contexts.
Describing something as minor, insignificant, or of little consequence.
Used metaphorically for small problems, mistakes, or matters. Often paired with こと (thing) or 問題 (problem).
小さなことで怒らないで。
Don't get angry over small things.
Means 'trivial' or 'minor'. Stronger than 小さな in emphasizing insignificance.
些細なミスを気にしすぎる。
You worry too much about small mistakes.
Means 'small-scale', used for businesses, events, or operations.
Describing a low volume or faint sound.
Used with 声 (voice) or 音 (sound) to mean 'quiet' or 'soft'.
小さい声で話してください。
Please speak in a small voice (quietly).
Means 'faint' or 'barely audible'. More literary.
かすかな音が聞こえた。
I heard a faint sound.
小さい is an i-adjective and can be used at the end of a sentence (predicative) or before a noun (attributive). 小さな is only used before nouns and often carries a slightly more subjective, emotive, or literary nuance. In many cases they are interchangeable before nouns, but 小さい is more common in everyday speech.
小さい家 (or 小さな家)
a small house
この家は小さい。 (not 小さな)
This house is small.
When talking about a small number or amount, use 少ない (sukunai), not 小さい. Saying 小さい人 (chiisai hito) means 'a small person' (physically short/petite), not 'few people'.
人が少ない。
There are few people.
I have only a mere 100 yen.
少量の塩を加えてください。
Please add a small amount of salt.
小規模な店を開きました。
I opened a small-scale shop.