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'.
This dog is small, isn't it?
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.
Means 'small-sized' or 'compact', often used for products, devices, or breeds. More technical than 小さい.
Means 'fine' or 'small' in the sense of particles, details, or granularity. Not for general size.
Describing a small quantity, low degree, or small number.
Describing something as minor, insignificant, or of little consequence.
Describing a low volume or 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.
a small house
小さな町に住んでいます。
I live in a small town.
I'm looking for a compact camera.
細かい砂が靴に入った。
Fine sand got into my shoes.
Means 'few' or 'little' in quantity. Use this for small amounts, numbers, or frequency. Not for physical size.
There are few people today.
I like coffee with little sugar.
Means 'only a little' or 'mere', emphasizing the smallness of an amount. Often used with numbers.
I have only a mere 100 yen.
Formal term for 'small quantity', used in instructions, recipes, or technical contexts.
Please add a small amount of salt.
Used metaphorically for small problems, mistakes, or matters. Often paired with こと (thing) or 問題 (problem).
Don't get angry over small things.
Means 'trivial' or 'minor'. Stronger than 小さな in emphasizing insignificance.
You worry too much about small mistakes.
Means 'small-scale', used for businesses, events, or operations.
I opened a small-scale shop.
Used with 声 (voice) or 音 (sound) to mean 'quiet' or 'soft'.
Please speak in a small voice (quietly).
Means 'faint' or 'barely audible'. More literary.
I heard a faint sound.
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'.
There are few people.