How to Say “Small” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to express the concept of “small” in Spanish is crucial for effective communication. This seemingly simple concept involves various grammatical nuances and vocabulary choices that depend on the context. Mastering these nuances will allow you to describe objects, people, and situations with greater accuracy and flair. This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners grappling with basic vocabulary to advanced students seeking to refine their linguistic skills. Whether you’re describing a tiny house, a small portion of food, or a minor problem, this article will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently express “small” in Spanish.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of “Small” in Spanish
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of “Small” in Spanish
   • “Pequeño/a” – Small
   • “Chico/a” – Small, Young
   • Diminutives: “-ito/a,” “-cito/a,” “-illo/a”
   • “Bajo/a” – Short, Low
   • “Corto/a” – Short
5. Examples
   • Examples with “Pequeño/a”
   • Examples with “Chico/a”
   • Examples with Diminutives
   • Examples with “Bajo/a”
   • Examples with “Corto/a”
6. Usage Rules
   • Agreement with Gender and Number
   • Contextual Usage of Different Words
   • Rules for Forming Diminutives
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
   • Exercise 1: Translation
   • Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
   • Exercise 3: Correct the Sentence
9. Advanced Topics
   • Idiomatic Expressions with “Small”
   • Regional Variations
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition of “Small” in Spanish

The concept of “small” in Spanish is multifaceted and can be expressed through several words, each with its own nuances. The most common translation of “small” is pequeño/a. However, depending on the context, other words like chico/a, bajo/a, or corto/a may be more appropriate. Understanding the subtle differences between these words is crucial for accurate and natural communication.

Pequeño/a generally refers to size and is used to describe something that is less than average in physical dimensions. It can apply to both concrete objects (e.g., a small house) and abstract concepts (e.g., a small problem). Chico/a, while also meaning “small,” often implies youth or insignificance. It is commonly used to refer to children or to describe something as minor. Bajo/a refers to height or altitude, translating to “short” or “low.” Corto/a means “short” in length or duration.

In addition to these basic translations, Spanish also utilizes diminutives, suffixes added to nouns and adjectives to indicate smallness, endearment, or even irony. The most common diminutive suffixes are -ito/a, -cito/a, and -illo/a. These suffixes add a layer of complexity and expressiveness to the language.

Structural Breakdown

The Spanish words for “small,” like most adjectives in Spanish, must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify. This means that the ending of the adjective will change depending on whether the noun is masculine singular, feminine singular, masculine plural, or feminine plural.

For example:

• Pequeño (masculine singular): El perro es pequeño. (The dog is small.)
• Pequeña (feminine singular): La casa es pequeña. (The house is small.)
• Pequeños (masculine plural): Los perros son pequeños. (The dogs are small.)
• Pequeñas (feminine plural): Las casas son pequeñas. (The houses are small.)

The placement of the adjective is also important. In Spanish, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify. However, some adjectives, including those expressing inherent qualities or subjective opinions (like “small”), can sometimes precede the noun for emphasis or stylistic effect. When placed before the noun, the meaning can subtly shift, often emphasizing the quality of smallness.

For example:

• La casa pequeña (The small house – a descriptive statement)
• La pequeña casa (The small house – emphasizing the smallness)

Types and Categories of “Small” in Spanish

“Pequeño/a” – Small

Pequeño/a is the most versatile and widely used word for “small” in Spanish. It refers to physical size and can be applied to a wide range of objects, animals, and even abstract concepts. It is the go-to choice when you simply want to indicate that something is not large.

Examples:

• Un coche pequeño (A small car)
• Una casa pequeña (A small house)
• Un problema pequeño (A small problem)

“Chico/a” – Small, Young

Chico/a is often used to mean “small,” but it also carries the connotation of “young.” It is commonly used to refer to children or young animals. It can also describe something that is insignificant or of little importance.

Examples:

• Un chico pequeño (A small boy)
• Una chica pequeña (A small girl)
• Un problema chico (A small problem – implying insignificance)

Diminutives: “-ito/a,” “-cito/a,” “-illo/a”

Diminutives are suffixes that are added to nouns and adjectives to indicate smallness, endearment, or affection. The most common diminutive suffixes are -ito/a and -cito/a. The suffix -illo/a is also used, but it often carries a regional or colloquial flavor. The choice of which suffix to use depends on the ending of the original word and regional preferences.

Examples:

• Casa (house) → Casita (small house, little house)
• Perro (dog) → Perrito (small dog, puppy)
• Pequeño (small) → Pequeñito (very small, tiny)

“Bajo/a” – Short, Low

Bajo/a means “short” or “low” and is used to describe height or altitude. It is used for people, objects, or places that are not tall or high.

Examples:

• Una persona baja (A short person)
• Un techo bajo (A low ceiling)
• Baja temperatura (Low temperature)

“Corto/a” – Short

Corto/a means “short” in terms of length or duration. It is used to describe things that are not long in space or time.

Examples:

• Un pelo corto (Short hair)
• Un viaje corto (A short trip)
• Una falda corta (A short skirt)

Examples

The following tables provide extensive examples of how to use the different words for “small” in Spanish, categorized for clarity.

Examples with “Pequeño/a”

This table illustrates the usage of “pequeño/a” in various contexts. Notice how it adapts to the gender and number of the nouns it modifies.

Spanish	English
El coche es pequeño.	The car is small.
La casa es pequeña.	The house is small.
Los coches son pequeños.	The cars are small.
Las casas son pequeñas.	The houses are small.
Tengo un perro pequeño.	I have a small dog.
Ella tiene una gata pequeña.	She has a small cat.
Es un pueblo pequeño.	It is a small town.
Es una ciudad pequeña.	It is a small city.
Este es un problema pequeño.	This is a small problem.
Es una pequeña diferencia.	It’s a small difference.
Compré un televisor pequeño.	I bought a small television.
Necesito una mesa pequeña.	I need a small table.
Los niños tienen manos pequeñas.	The children have small hands.
Las ventanas son pequeñas.	The windows are small.
El jardín es pequeño, pero bonito.	The garden is small, but beautiful.
Ella vive en un apartamento pequeño.	She lives in a small apartment.
Es un pequeño detalle.	It’s a small detail.
Tenemos una pequeña cantidad de dinero.	We have a small amount of money.
Este es un pequeño ejemplo.	This is a small example.
Vi un pájaro pequeño en el jardín.	I saw a small bird in the garden.
El pastel era pequeño.	The cake was small.
Mi coche es más pequeño que el tuyo.	My car is smaller than yours.
Era un pequeño error.	It was a small mistake.

Examples with “Chico/a”

This table showcases the usage of “chico/a,” highlighting its association with youth and insignificance.

Spanish	English
El chico es pequeño.	The boy is small.
La chica es pequeña.	The girl is small.
Mi hijo es un chico chico.	My son is a small boy.
Mi hija es una chica chica.	My daughter is a small girl.
Es un problema chico, no te preocupes.	It’s a small problem, don’t worry.
Tenemos un gato chico.	We have a small cat (kitten).
La porción es chica.	The portion is small.
El vaso es chico.	The glass is small.
Es un detalle chico.	It’s a small detail.
El pueblo es chico.	The town is small.
Es una cosa chica.	It’s a small thing.
El cuarto es chico.	The room is small.
La empresa es chica.	The company is small.
El restaurante es chico.	The restaurant is small.
Es una tarea chica.	It’s a small task.
El mundo es chico.	The world is small.
La isla es chica.	The island is small.
Es un error chico.	It’s a small error.
La calle es chica.	The street is small.
El jardín es chico.	The garden is small.
La diferencia es chica.	The difference is small.

Examples with Diminutives

This table illustrates the use of diminutives, showing how they add a layer of affection or emphasis to the meaning of “small.”

Spanish	English
Casita	Small house, little house
Perrito	Small dog, puppy
Arbolito	Small tree, little tree
Librito	Small book, booklet
Cochecito	Small car, little car (often a toy car)
Viejito	Little old man (endearing)
Madrecita	Little mother (endearing)
Agua → Agüita	Little water (often implying a small amount or endearment)
Ahora → Ahorita	Right now, in a little while (common in Latin America)
Pan → Pancito	Small bread, little bread
Café → Cafecito	Small coffee, little coffee
Sol → Solecito	Little sun (often implying pleasant sunshine)
Ventana → Ventanita	Small window, little window
Palabra → Palabrita	Little word (often implying a promise)
Momento → Momentito	Little moment
Niño → Niñito	Little boy
Flor → Florcita	Little flower
Amigo → Amiguito	Little friend
Plato → Platito	Small plate
Cuchillo → Cuchillito	Small knife
Abuela → Abuelita	Grandma (endearing)
Hermano → Hermanito	Little brother

Examples with “Bajo/a”

This table illustrates the usage of “bajo/a,” focusing on height and altitude.

Spanish	English
Es una persona baja.	He/She is a short person.
El techo es bajo.	The ceiling is low.
La temperatura es baja.	The temperature is low.
El nivel del agua es bajo.	The water level is low.
La presión es baja.	The pressure is low.
Tiene la moral baja.	He/She has low morale.
Vuela bajo.	It flies low.
Habla en voz baja.	He/She speaks in a low voice.
Es de baja estatura.	He/She is of short stature.
Está en la planta baja.	It’s on the ground floor.
Es una zona de baja altitud.	It’s a low-altitude area.
Tengo la tensión baja.	I have low blood pressure.
Es un precio bajo.	It’s a low price.
Está bajo de peso.	He/She is underweight.
Tiene un rendimiento bajo.	He/She has low performance.
Es un perfil bajo.	It’s a low profile.
El sol está bajo.	The sun is low.
Está bajo control.	It’s under control.
Está bajo la mesa.	It’s under the table.
Trabaja bajo presión.	He/She works under pressure.

Examples with “Corto/a”

This table presents examples of “corto/a,” emphasizing length and duration.

Spanish	English
Tiene el pelo corto.	He/She has short hair.
La falda es corta.	The skirt is short.
El viaje fue corto.	The trip was short.
La película es corta.	The movie is short.
La conversación fue corta.	The conversation was short.
Es un camino corto.	It’s a short path.
Es una visita corta.	It’s a short visit.
Tiene una memoria corta.	He/She has a short memory.
Es un libro corto.	It’s a short book.
La manga es corta.	The sleeve is short.
Es un discurso corto.	It’s a short speech.
Es una respuesta corta.	It’s a short answer.
Tengo la respiración corta.	I have shortness of breath.
Es una distancia corta.	It’s a short distance.
Es un texto corto.	It’s a short text.
La cuerda es corta.	The rope is short.
Es un paseo corto.	It’s a short walk.
Los días son cortos en invierno.	The days are short in winter.
El plazo es corto.	The deadline is short.
La mecha es corta.	The fuse is short.

Usage Rules

Agreement with Gender and Number

As mentioned earlier, adjectives in Spanish must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. This is a fundamental rule of Spanish grammar. Pequeño/a, chico/a, bajo/a, and corto/a all follow this rule. Pay close attention to the ending of the adjective to ensure it matches the noun.

For example:

• El libro pequeño (masculine singular)
• La mesa pequeña (feminine singular)
• Los libros pequeños (masculine plural)
• Las mesas pequeñas (feminine plural)

Contextual Usage of Different Words

Choosing the right word for “small” depends heavily on the context. Use pequeño/a for general size. Use chico/a when referring to children or to something of little importance. Use bajo/a for height or altitude. Use corto/a for length or duration. Consider the specific meaning you want to convey and choose the word that best fits the situation.

For example:

• To describe a small car: un coche pequeño
• To describe a small child: un niño chico
• To describe a short person: una persona baja
• To describe a short film: una película corta

Rules for Forming Diminutives

Forming diminutives in Spanish can be tricky, as the suffix used depends on the ending of the original word. Here are some general guidelines:

• Words ending in -o or -a usually take -ito/a: gato → gatito, casa → casita
• Words ending in -e, -n, or -r often take -cito/a: flor → florecita, pan → pancito, madre → madrecita
• Words ending in other consonants may take either -ito/a or -cito/a, depending on regional preferences and pronunciation: árbol → arbolito, papel → papelito
• Some words undergo spelling changes before adding the diminutive suffix to maintain pronunciation: agua → agüita, luz → lucecita

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using pequeño/a in all situations, even when another word would be more appropriate. For example, using pequeño to describe a short person instead of bajo. Another mistake is not correctly matching the gender and number of the adjective to the noun.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
La persona es pequeño.	La persona es baja.	Using pequeño instead of bajo to describe a short person.
El libro es pequeña.	El libro es pequeño.	Incorrect gender agreement. Libro is masculine, so the adjective must be masculine.
Las casas son pequeño.	Las casas son pequeñas.	Incorrect gender and number agreement. Casas is feminine plural, so the adjective must be feminine plural.
Un problema bajo.	Un problema pequeño.	Using bajo instead of pequeño to describe a small problem.
El pelo es pequeña.	El pelo es corto.	Using pequeña instead of corto to describe short hair. Also, incorrect gender agreement.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Translation

Translate the following sentences into Spanish, using the most appropriate word for “small.”

No.	English	Answer
1	The small dog is barking.	El perro pequeño está ladrando.
2	She is a short woman.	Ella es una mujer baja.
3	It’s a small problem, don’t worry.	Es un problema chico, no te preocupes.
4	I want a small coffee.	Quiero un café pequeño/un cafecito.
5	The skirt is short.	La falda es corta.
6	The little house is beautiful.	La casita es hermosa.
7	He has a small car.	Él tiene un coche pequeño.
8	The ceiling is low.	El techo es bajo.
9	It was a short trip.	Fue un viaje corto.
10	The boy is small.	El chico es pequeño.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word: pequeño/a, chico/a, bajo/a, or corto/a.

No.	Sentence	Answer
1	Es un pueblo muy _______.	pequeño
2	Ella es una niña _______.	chica
3	El techo es muy _______.	bajo
4	El pelo de Juan es _______.	corto
5	Es un problema _______, no importa.	chico
6	Compré un televisor _______.	pequeño
7	La temperatura está muy _______.	baja
8	La falda es demasiado _______.	corta
9	Es un viaje _______.	corto
10	El perro es _______.	pequeño

Exercise 3: Correct the Sentence

Correct the following sentences, which contain errors in the usage of “small.”

No.	Incorrect Sentence	Correct Sentence
1	El hombre es pequeño.	El hombre es bajo.
2	La casa es chicos.	La casa es pequeña.
3	Tengo un problema bajo.	Tengo un problema pequeño.
4	Ella tiene la pelo pequeño.	Ella tiene el pelo corto.
5	Los niños son baja.	Los niños son pequeños/chicos.
6	Es un viaje pequeña.	Es un viaje corto.
7	La mesa es bajo.	La mesa es pequeña.
8	El gato es corto.	El gato es pequeño.
9	Es una libro bajo.	Es un libro pequeño/corto.
10	La mujer es pequeña para jugar baloncesto.	La mujer es baja para jugar baloncesto.

Advanced Topics

Idiomatic Expressions with “Small”

Spanish, like any language, has idiomatic expressions that use the concept of “small” in interesting ways. These expressions often have figurative meanings that go beyond the literal translation of the words.

Examples:

• A la corta o a la larga (sooner or later) – Uses “corta” (short) to refer to time.
• Ser de pocas palabras (to be a man/woman of few words) – Uses “pocas” (few) to imply small quantity.
• En pequeño (in miniature, on a small scale)

Regional Variations

The usage of diminutives and even the preferred words for “small” can vary significantly from one Spanish-speaking region to another. For example, the diminutive suffix -ico/a is common in some parts of Latin America, while -illo/a is more prevalent in Spain. Similarly, the precise connotation of chico/a can vary depending on the country.

Exploring these regional variations can add depth to your understanding of the language and allow you to communicate more effectively with people from different Spanish-speaking backgrounds. Listening to native speakers from different regions and paying attention to their word choices is a great way to learn about these nuances.

FAQ

1. What is the most common way to say “small” in Spanish?

   The most common way to say “small” in Spanish is pequeño/a. It is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts to describe physical size.

2. When should I use “chico/a” instead of “pequeño/a”?

   Use chico/a when referring to children or young animals, or when describing something as insignificant. While it can mean “small,” it carries a connotation of youth or unimportance that pequeño/
   a does not.

3. How do I form diminutives correctly?

   The formation of diminutives depends on the ending of the word. Generally, words ending in -o or -a take -ito/a, while words ending in -e, -n, or -r often take -cito/a. However, there are exceptions and regional variations, so it’s best to consult a dictionary or native speaker when in doubt.

4. Is “bajo/a” only used for people’s height?

   No, bajo/a is used to describe height or altitude in general. It can be used for people, objects, or places that are not tall or high. It can also be used to describe things like low temperatures or low prices.

5. Can “corto/a” be used to describe a person’s height?

   No, corto/a is used to describe length or duration, not height. To describe a person’s height, use bajo/a.

6. Are there any words that are the opposite of “small” in Spanish?

   Yes, the most common antonyms of “small” in Spanish are grande (big) and alto/a (tall/high). The specific antonym to use depends on the context. For example, the opposite of pequeño is often grande, while the opposite of bajo is alto.

Conclusion

Mastering the nuances of expressing “small” in Spanish involves understanding the subtle differences between words like pequeño/a, chico/a, bajo/a, and corto/a, as well as the rules for forming diminutives. By paying attention to context, gender, and number agreement, and by practicing with examples and exercises, you can confidently and accurately describe objects, people, and situations in Spanish. Remember to explore idiomatic expressions and regional variations to further enhance your understanding of this essential aspect of the language. With diligent study and practice, expressing “small” in Spanish will become second nature, allowing you to communicate with greater precision and fluency.