小こ

prefix

small; little; slight

Productive prefix meaning 'small' or 'little', often used in compound nouns.

See also: 小皿

• 小こ皿ざらに料りょう理りを盛もり付つける。

  Arrange the food on a small plate.

prefix

slightly less than; just about

Used with time or quantity words to mean 'a little less than' or 'almost'.

See also: 小半日

• 小こ半はん日にちほど待まった。

  I waited for just under half a day.

prefix

somewhat; somehow

Attaches to adjectives or adjectival stems to add a sense of 'somewhat' or 'vaguely'.

See also: こざっぱり

• 部屋へやをこざっぱりと片かた付づけた。

  I tidied up the room somewhat neatly.

prefix

minor; petty

Sometimes derogatory; used with nouns for people or roles to imply insignificance or low rank.

See also: 小役人

• 彼かれはただの小こ役やく人にんに過すぎない。

  He is nothing more than a petty official.