小ちいさめ

ち

い

さ

め

JLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

Describes something that is somewhat small or smaller than average. Often used when comparing sizes or choosing a smaller option.

うえ

を

試ため

し

て

み

て

ください

。

These shoes run a bit small, so please try one size up.

小ちいさめのバッグが欲ほしい。

I want a bag that's on the small side.

〈物もの〉を小ちいさめに切きるto cut something a bit smaller than usual
野や菜さいを小ちいさめに切きってサラダを作つくった。
I cut the vegetables a bit small and made a salad.
サイズは小ちいさめですto run a bit small in size (e.g. clothing)
このブランドの服ふくはサイズが小ちいさめです。
This brand's clothes run a bit small.
小ちいさめの〈物もの〉a somewhat small (item)
小ちいさめのバッグを買かった。
I bought a smallish bag.

小ちいさいN5
小さい is the plain adjective for 'small', while 小さめ softens it to 'somewhat small' or 'on the small side', often implying a comparison with a standard size.
小こ振ぶり
小ぶり describes something slightly smaller than typical, especially for fruit, dishes, or bags, whereas 小さめ is a more general, everyday way to say 'on the small side'.

大おおきめN3
大きめ means 'on the large side', the direct opposite of 小さめ's 'on the small side'.

Formed from the adjective stem 小さ (ちいさ) + the suffix め, which adds the meaning of 'somewhat' or 'tending toward'.