小
little, small
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- ちい.さい
- こ-
- お-
- さ-
Nanori
- いさら
- こう
- さざ
- しゃお
- ちいさ
Meaning
小 centers on the idea of smallness or being little in size, amount, or degree.
Most common words using 小
24 of 1,206- 小しょうN3
smallness; small item
- 小こN2
small; little; slight
- 小さいちいさいN5
small; little; tiny
- 小説しょうせつN4
novel; story; (work of) fiction
- 小さなちいさなN5
small; little; tiny
- 小学校しょうがっこうN5
primary school; elementary school; grade school
- 小学生しょうがくせいN2
elementary school student; primary school student; grade school student
- 小型こがたN3
small-sized; small-scale; miniature
- 小屋こやN3
hut; cabin; shed; (animal) pen
- 中小ちゅうしょう
small and medium
- 縮小しゅくしょうN2
reduction; curtailment; cut; cutback; scaling down; contraction; shrinkage
- 小山こやま
hill; knoll
- 小川おがわN1
stream; brook; creek
- 小学しょうがく
elementary school; primary school; grade school
- 小遣いこづかいN3
pocket money; spending money; pin money; allowance
- 小島こじま
small island; islet
- 小規模しょうきぼ
small scale
- 小売こうりN1
retail
- 小児しょうに
young child; infant
- 小物こもの
accessories; small articles
- 小銭こぜにN2
small change; pocket change; coins
- 最小さいしょうN3
smallest (in size, degree, etc.); least; minimum; minimal
- 小鳥ことりN4
small bird; little bird
- 小僧こぞう
youngster; boy; kid; brat; lad
Study
Etymology
小 is a pictograph of three small dots or strokes representing something tiny or insignificant. The modern form retains this simple, small shape.
Meaning mnemonic
The three small strokes look like tiny grains or specks, emphasizing the idea of something little.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine a small show where everything is miniature: show -> ショウ, and the tiny stage fits the meaning of small.