小さい · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 小さい | 小さくない |
| Polite | 小さいです | 小さくないですalso 小さくありません |
| Past polite | 小さかったです | 小さくなかったですalso 小さくありませんでした |
| Past | 小さかった | 小さくなかった |
| Te-form | 小さくて | 小さくなくて |
| Adverbial | 小さく | |
| Conditional | 小さければ | 小さくなければ |
| Tara conditional | 小さかったら | 小さくなかったら |
Describes physical size, dimensions, or scale of objects, spaces, or living things.
This room is small, isn't it?
I like small dogs.
slight; minor; small (in degree/amount)
Used for abstract or measurable things that are below average in degree, amount, or intensity, such as differences, chances, or problems.
A small mistake can sometimes lead to a big accident.
The chance of success is small.
Describes sounds or voices that are quiet, low in volume, or not loud.
The radio is low, so please turn it up a bit.
She said 'thank you' in a soft voice.
Refers to matters, worries, or people that are insignificant, not worth serious attention, or narrow-minded.
Please don't get angry over such a trivial thing.
He is a petty person.
Used for children or young animals; often implies smallness in age and size.
When I was little, I often played in this park.
A small child is crying.
Please make this photo a bit smaller.
His voice is so quiet that it can't be heard in the back.
Don't worry about such a small thing.
Households with young children have a hard time.
The difference between the two people's scores is small.
The shoes got smaller after being washed.
小さい is the general, neutral word for physically or numerically small, while ささやか adds a warm, modest, or humble nuance to something small in scale.
小さい is the general word for physical smallness, while 細かい specifically emphasizes fine grain, texture, or minute detail.
小さい is the everyday, general word for physical or abstract smallness, while 小規模 is a more formal term specifically for the scale or scope of an organization, event, or operation.
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.
小さい is the plain, everyday Japanese adjective for “small,” while リトル is a katakana borrowing used mainly for a stylish, foreign, or name-like effect.
小さい ちいさい is the ordinary i-adjective for describing something as small in everyday sentences, while 小 しょう is a bound Sino-Japanese element used in labels, compounds, and classifications rather than as a standalone predicate.
小さい is the neutral, all-purpose word for 'small', while ちっぽけ is colloquial and adds a dismissive or emphatic sense of insignificance.
小さい is the ordinary adjective meaning 'small', whereas プチ is a prefix attached directly to nouns to form casual compound words.