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小型 (こがた) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

小こ型がた

こ

が

た

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

small-sized; compact; miniature

Only when written especially 小型

Most common modern use, usually written 小型. Describes something as belonging to a small type or size class, such as a device, vehicle, animal, or model.

See also: 大型

小こ型がたのカメラなら、旅りょ行こうに持もって行いきやすい。
A compact camera is easy to take on a trip.

このマンションでは小こ型がた犬けんしか飼かえません。

Only small dogs may be kept in this apartment building.

2

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

small; little; tiny

Only when written especially 小形

Especially associated with the spelling 小形. It focuses on small form or dimensions and may appear in descriptive or technical wording; in many ordinary contexts 小型 is more common.

この植しょく物ぶつは小こ形がたで、鉢はち植うえに向むいている。
This plant is small and is suitable for growing in a pot.
小こ形がたの花はなが枝えだ先さきに集あつまって咲さく。
Tiny flowers bloom in clusters at the tips of the branches.

Written forms

小こ型がたUsage97%
The common standard spelling, especially for small-sized devices, vehicles, animals, models, and product types.
小こ形がたUsage3%
Attested spelling, especially for the sense of being small in form or dimensions; less common in everyday writing than 小型.
コガタUsage<1%

Kanji

小little, small
型mould, type, model
形shape, form, style

Similar words

大おお型がた
The direct opposite: large-sized or large-scale, often used for vehicles, machinery, animals, and models.
小ちいさい
A basic i-adjective meaning small; 小型 is more noun-like and often classifies something as a compact or small-size type.
小しょう規き模ぼ
Means small-scale in scope, such as a business, event, or operation; 小型 more often refers to physical size or product type.

Etymology

A Sino-Japanese-style compound of 小 meaning small and 型 meaning type, model, or form. The variant 小形 uses 形, shape or form, which fits the nuance of small physical form.