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C1 adjective 11 دقيقة للقراءة

esiguo

أمثلة esiguo في 30 ثانية
الشرح esiguo in your Level:
At the A1 level, you usually learn the word 'piccolo' (small) or 'poco' (little). 'Esiguo' is much more advanced. Think of it as a very 'fancy' way to say that there is almost nothing of something. For example, if you have only one cookie and ten friends, the amount of cookies is 'esiguo'. You don't need to use this word in your first weeks of Italian, but if you see it, just remember it means 'too small' or 'not enough'. It's like having a tiny bit of water in a big desert. It helps to recognize the 'e-' at the beginning and the '-uo' at the end. In A1, you focus on basic needs, and 'esiguo' is more for formal writing. However, knowing that Italian has many words for 'small' will help you later. Just remember: Piccolo = Small, Esiguo = Very small and not enough. Imagine a tiny piece of bread for a giant; that is an 'esiguo' piece of bread.
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At the A2 level, you are starting to describe things with more detail. You might know words like 'abbastanza' (enough) or 'troppo' (too much). 'Esiguo' is the opposite of 'molto' (much) or 'tanto'. It is an adjective used in newspapers or by teachers. If a teacher says 'Il tempo è esiguo', they mean 'Time is very limited, hurry up!'. In A2, you should start noticing how the word changes: 'un esiguo numero' (a small number) but 'una esigua quantità' (a small quantity). It always agrees with the noun. While you might still use 'poco' in most cases, 'esiguo' is a word that makes you sound more like a native speaker who has studied hard. It's often used with money (stipendio esiguo) or time (tempo esiguo). If you are writing a simple essay about your hobby and you say you have 'esiguo tempo libero', your teacher will be very impressed!
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At the B1 level, you are moving into intermediate Italian and should be able to handle more formal vocabulary. 'Esiguo' becomes useful when you want to express dissatisfaction with a quantity in a polite or formal way. Instead of saying 'Il mio capo mi dà pochi soldi' (My boss gives me little money), you could say 'Il mio stipendio è esiguo'. This sounds more professional. You will encounter this word in reading passages about the environment (esigue risorse idriche - scant water resources) or history. It's important to distinguish it from 'scarso'. 'Scarso' often means 'poor quality', while 'esiguo' is strictly about 'low quantity'. If you are taking a B1 exam, using 'esiguo' in a formal letter or a description of a graph will help you achieve a higher score for 'vocabulary range'. It shows you can move beyond the most basic adjectives.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand nuance. 'Esiguo' is a key word for discussing social issues, economics, and abstract concepts. You should be comfortable using it in both written and spoken Italian. At this level, you should notice that 'esiguo' is often used to create contrast. For example: 'Nonostante l'esiguo budget, il film è stato un successo' (Despite the meager budget, the film was a success). Here, 'esiguo' emphasizes the difficulty of the situation. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'margine esiguo' (slim margin) or 'maggioranza esigua' (slim majority). In B2 discussions about politics or current events, 'esiguo' is much more appropriate than 'piccolo'. It carries a tone of objective analysis. You should also be careful with pronunciation, ensuring the 'u' is heard clearly but quickly, as it's a semi-consonant in the diphthong /wo/.
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At the C1 level, 'esiguo' is a standard part of your vocabulary. You should use it naturally in academic writing, professional reports, and sophisticated debates. You understand that 'esiguo' is not just about quantity, but about the *insufficiency* of that quantity relative to a need or expectation. At this level, you can use it metaphorically: 'un'esigua traccia di speranza' (a scant trace of hope). You are also able to distinguish it from high-level synonyms like 'irrisorio' (derisory/laughable) or 'minimo'. You know that 'esiguo' is the perfect word to describe a sample size in a research paper or a percentage in a statistical analysis. Your mastery of the word includes knowing its placement—usually after the noun for clarity, but sometimes before for stylistic emphasis in literary contexts. You should also be able to recognize it in classical Italian literature, where it has been used for centuries to describe the fragility of human endeavors.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'esiguo'. You recognize its Latin roots (exiguus) and how it fits into the broader history of the Italian language. You can use it with absolute precision, often pairing it with specific adverbs like 'estremamente', 'oltremodo', or 'sorprendentemente' to fine-tune your meaning. You are aware of its use in legal jargon, where an 'esiguo indennizzo' can be a point of contention in a court case. You can also appreciate the word's phonetic qualities in poetry or high-prose, where the 'g-u-o' ending provides a specific rhythmic closure to a sentence. At this level, you don't just know what 'esiguo' means; you feel its weight in a sentence—the way it signals a limit, a boundary, or a lack. You can effortlessly switch between 'esiguo', 'misero', and 'insufficiente' depending on the exact emotional and intellectual tone you wish to convey in a high-level discourse.
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أمثلة

esiguo في 30 ثانية

  • Esiguo means 'meager' or 'scant'. It describes something that is small and often not enough.
  • It is a formal C1-level word used in news, business, and literature.
  • It agrees with the noun in gender and number: esiguo, esigua, esigui, esigue.
  • Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'budget', 'tempo', 'risorse', and 'margine'.

The Italian adjective esiguo is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe something that is not just small, but critically or disappointingly insufficient in quantity, size, or importance. While the English word 'small' is generic, esiguo carries a semantic weight of scarcity. It is a word of precision, often found in economic reports, academic papers, and formal journalism, though it occasionally appears in refined daily conversation when someone wishes to emphasize the inadequacy of a resource. To understand esiguo, one must look beyond physical dimensions and consider the relationship between what exists and what is actually needed.

Semantic Nuance
Unlike 'piccolo' (small) or 'breve' (short), esiguo implies that the amount in question is barely enough to serve its purpose. It suggests a certain level of deprivation or limitation. For instance, an 'esiguo stipendio' is not just a low salary, but one that might struggle to cover basic living expenses.
Register and Tone
This word sits comfortably at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is considered formal and elegant. Using it correctly demonstrates a high command of Italian vocabulary, showing that the speaker can distinguish between simple physical size and qualitative insufficiency.
Gender and Number Agreement
As a standard four-ending adjective, it changes to match the noun: esiguo (masculine singular), esigua (feminine singular), esigui (masculine plural), and esigue (feminine plural).

"Nonostante gli sforzi del governo, il numero di borse di studio rimane esiguo rispetto alla domanda degli studenti."

— Translation: Despite the government's efforts, the number of scholarships remains meager compared to student demand.

In the context of modern Italy, you will frequently hear this word during the evening news (TG) when discussing the 'esiguo budget' for public works or the 'esigua percentuale' of voters who turned up for a local referendum. It is a word that highlights a gap between expectation and reality. When a researcher describes their sample size as 'esiguo', they are warning the reader that the results might not be statistically significant. When a chef complains about the 'esigua quantità' of saffron in a delivery, they are expressing frustration at the lack of a precious ingredient.

"L'azienda ha registrato un profitto esiguo quest'anno, appena sufficiente a coprire le spese operative."

Furthermore, esiguo can be used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts like hope, time, or space. An 'esigua speranza' (a slender hope) conveys a sense of fragility and near-impossibility. This usage is common in Italian literature and high-level journalism to evoke a specific mood of precariousness. It is the opposite of 'abbondante' (abundant) or 'cospicuo' (conspicuous/substantial). While 'poco' (little) is a quantifier, esiguo is a qualitative descriptor that adds a layer of evaluation to the quantity mentioned. It is rarely used in very informal settings, where 'pochissimo' or 'un briciolo' might be preferred, but in any professional or intellectual setting, esiguo is the gold standard for describing insufficiency.

"Abbiamo a disposizione un tempo esiguo per completare questo progetto monumentale."

Mastering the use of esiguo requires an understanding of its placement within a sentence and its interaction with various noun categories. Because it is a formal adjective, its position can slightly alter the emphasis of the sentence, though it typically follows the noun it modifies in standard descriptive Italian. However, for rhetorical or literary effect, placing it before the noun is not uncommon.

Agreement Patterns
1. Masculine Singular: Un margine esiguo (A slim margin).
2. Feminine Singular: Una somma esigua (A paltry sum).
3. Masculine Plural: Risultati esigui (Meager results).
4. Feminine Plural: Risorse esigue (Scant resources).

In economic contexts, the adjective is almost indispensable. It describes dividends, interest rates, or market shares that fail to meet expectations. For example, 'I dividendi sono stati esigui quest'anno' (The dividends were meager this year). Here, the adjective functions as a predicate, following the verb 'essere'. This is the most common way to express a state of insufficiency.

"La partecipazione al voto è stata esigua, segno di un crescente disinteresse per la politica locale."

When describing physical space, esiguo suggests a lack of room that causes constraint. 'Uno spazio esiguo' is a cramped space. If you are describing a small apartment, you might say: 'L'appartamento è grazioso, ma lo spazio per la cucina è esiguo.' This sounds more sophisticated and precise than simply saying 'la cucina è piccola'. It implies that the smallness of the kitchen is a functional drawback.

"Hanno dovuto lavorare con un budget esiguo, ma il risultato finale è stato comunque eccellente."

In literary Italian, you might find the adjective placed before the noun to emphasize the speaker's emotional reaction to the scarcity. 'Con esigua speranza, egli continuò a cercare...' (With meager hope, he continued to search...). This placement shifts the focus from the noun (hope) to the quality of that hope (meager), creating a more poetic and melancholic tone. In academic writing, however, stick to the post-nominal position (the noun first) to maintain an objective, descriptive tone: 'Le prove a sostegno di questa tesi sono esigue' (The evidence in support of this thesis is scant).

Common Verb Pairings
- Risultare: 'Il numero degli iscritti è risultato esiguo.'
- Apparire: 'Le sue conoscenze in materia appaiono esigue.'
- Rimanere: 'Le scorte alimentari rimangono esigue dopo la tempesta.'

"Il margine di errore concesso per questa operazione chirurgica è estremamente esiguo."

While you might not hear esiguo shouted across a crowded market in Naples or Rome, it is a staple of the 'linguaggio colto' (educated language) used in Italian public life. If you watch Italian news broadcasts like TG1 or TGLa7, you will hear journalists use esiguo to discuss the national budget, social statistics, or the results of scientific research. It is the language of the 'Palazzo' (the seat of government) and the 'Università'.

In the Media
Journalists often use 'esiguo' to avoid the repetition of 'piccolo' or 'poco'. It provides a more analytical tone. For example, 'L'affluenza alle urne è stata esigua' (Voter turnout was meager). This phrasing is standard in political commentary to describe a disappointing level of civic engagement.
In Legal and Administrative Contexts
Legal documents might refer to an 'esiguo indennizzo' (a small compensation) or an 'esiguo lasso di tempo' (a short period of time). In these cases, the word defines the limits of a right or a deadline with formal precision.

"Il tribunale ha stabilito un risarcimento esiguo, che non copre nemmeno le spese legali sostenute."

In the world of Italian finance and business, esiguo is used to describe thin margins or low market penetration. If an Italian entrepreneur says, 'Abbiamo una quota di mercato esigua in Germania', they are admitting that their presence in the German market is currently insignificant or very limited. It signals a need for growth or a strategic challenge. It is also used in financial reports to describe 'esigui volumi di scambio' (low trading volumes) on the stock exchange (Borsa Italiana).

"Le probabilità di successo dell'operazione sono esigue, ma dobbiamo tentare comunque."

In literary circles or high-end book reviews (like those in 'La Lettura' by Corriere della Sera), you might see the word used to describe the length of a book or the depth of a character's development. 'Un romanzo dall'esigua mole' refers to a very short or slim novel. Here, the word is not necessarily negative; it simply describes the physical brevity of the work with a touch of elegance. Finally, in scientific discourse, esiguo is used to describe trace amounts of substances: 'È stata rilevata un'esigua traccia di mercurio nell'acqua'.

"Nonostante l'importanza del tema, il dibattito pubblico è stato esiguo e superficiale."

Even advanced learners of Italian can stumble when using esiguo, primarily because its English equivalents (scant, meager, small) have different shades of meaning. The most frequent errors involve register, agreement, and synonym confusion. Understanding where *not* to use this word is as important as knowing where to use it.

Register Mismatch
One common mistake is using esiguo in a very casual context. For example, if you are at a dinner party and there is only a little bit of wine left, saying 'C'è un'esigua quantità di vino' sounds overly dramatic or stiff. In this case, 'C'è rimasto poco vino' or 'C'è un goccino di vino' is much more natural.
Confusion with 'Piccolo'
Esiguo refers to quantity or insufficiency, not usually to the physical size of an object unless that size implies a lack. You wouldn't call a small dog 'un cane esiguo' unless you were describing its weight in a medical report as dangerously low. For a cute, small dog, always use 'piccolo'.

❌ Incorrect: "Ho comprato un esiguo regalo per te."
✅ Correct: "Ho comprato un piccolo regalo per te."

Another mistake involves the plural forms. Because the 'g' is followed by 'u', some learners forget that the 'u' is part of the stem and is not a plural marker. Remember: esiguo (m.s.), esigui (m.p.). The 'u' stays there. Also, be careful with the feminine plural esigue. The 'u' is pronounced in all forms, maintaining the /gw/ sound. Pronouncing it as 'esige' (which sounds like the verb for 'requires') is a common phonetic error for English speakers.

❌ Incorrect: "Le chance di piovere sono esiguo."
✅ Correct: "Le chance di pioggia sono esigue." (Agreement with 'chance', which is feminine plural in Italian usage).

Learners also sometimes confuse esiguo with scarso. While they are synonyms, scarso often carries a more negative connotation of poor quality or failure. 'Un risultato scarso' sounds like a bad grade, whereas 'un risultato esiguo' might just mean a small but positive result that wasn't enough to win. Use esiguo when you want to be objective about the quantity, and scarso when you want to express a negative judgment about the sufficiency or quality.

"Non confondere un esiguo risparmio con una mancanza di valore."

To truly master C1-level Italian, you must be able to choose the exact shade of 'smallness' required for your context. Esiguo is part of a rich family of adjectives that describe quantity. Depending on whether you want to sound clinical, poetic, or critical, you might choose one of its synonyms.

Scarso vs. Esiguo
Scarso implies 'not enough' and often suggests a failure. If a student is 'scarso in matematica', they are bad at it. Esiguo is more neutral; it simply states the quantity is low. You would say 'le risorse sono esigue' (the resources are scant) in a formal report, but 'il cibo è scarso' (the food is insufficient) if you are hungry and annoyed.
Irrisorio
This is an even stronger term than esiguo. It comes from the root for 'ridicule'. An 'offerta irrisoria' is a price so low it's almost an insult. Use irrisorio when the smallness of the amount is laughable or absurdly low.
Misero
This word adds an emotional layer of pity or poverty. 'Una misera pensione' (a wretched pension) sounds more tragic than 'un'esigua pensione'. Use misero when you want to highlight the suffering caused by the lack of resources.

"Il prezzo pagato per l'antico vaso era irrisorio rispetto al suo reale valore di mercato."

For more physical descriptions, consider minuto or esile. Minuto describes something very small and detailed (like 'un carattere minuto' - small handwriting), while esile describes something thin or fragile (like 'una figura esile' - a slender figure). Esiguo is rarely used for body types or handwriting; it is reserved for quantities, volumes, and abstract amounts.

"Nonostante il modesto contributo iniziale, il progetto è cresciuto esponenzialmente."

In business, you might encounter limitato (limited) or ridotto (reduced). These are often used as euphemisms. 'Posti limitati' (limited seats) is common in advertising. Esiguo is more descriptive of the state of being than the act of limiting. If you say 'il numero di posti è esiguo', you are describing the reality of the small room; if you say 'i posti sono limitati', you are warning the customer to book quickly.

"L'autore ha dedicato uno spazio esiguo alla bibliografia, rendendo difficile la verifica delle fonti."

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1

Ho un esiguo numero di penne.

I have a tiny number of pens.

Agreement: 'esiguo' (masculine) matches 'numero' (masculine).

2

C'è un'esigua quantità di latte.

There is a meager amount of milk.

Agreement: 'esigua' (feminine) matches 'quantità' (feminine).

3

Il mio tempo è esiguo.

My time is scant.

Predicate adjective following the verb 'essere'.

4

Abbiamo esigui risparmi.

We have meager savings.

Plural: 'esigui' (masculine plural) matches 'risparmi'.

5

L'esigua borsa è vuota.

The tiny bag is empty.

Note the elision 'un'esigua' if 'una' were used, but here 'L'esigua' is correct.

6

Mangio un esiguo pezzo di pane.

I eat a tiny piece of bread.

Adjective placed before the noun for emphasis.

7

Le esigue luci brillano.

The scant lights shine.

Plural: 'esigue' (feminine plural) matches 'luci'.

8

Il libro ha un esiguo numero di pagine.

The book has a small number of pages.

Standard structure: 'un' + [adjective] + [noun].

1

Il budget per la festa è esiguo.

The budget for the party is meager.

Common use of 'budget' in Italian with 'esiguo'.

2

Purtroppo, lo spazio in valigia è esiguo.

Unfortunately, the space in the suitcase is scant.

Using 'esiguo' to describe functional insufficiency.

3

Hanno ricevuto un esiguo aumento di stipendio.

They received a meager salary increase.

Common business collocation.

4

Il numero di partecipanti era esiguo.

The number of participants was small.

Describing attendance/turnout.

5

C'è un'esigua differenza tra i due colori.

There is a slight/meager difference between the two colors.

Describing abstract or visual differences.

6

Beviamo un'esigua quantità di acqua ogni giorno.

We drink a meager amount of water every day.

Use of 'quantità' as a noun.

7

Le esigue risorse del villaggio sono finite.

The village's scant resources are finished.

Plural feminine agreement.

8

Il successo è stato esiguo.

The success was meager.

Predicate adjective.

1

L'azienda opera con un margine di profitto esiguo.

The company operates with a slim profit margin.

'Margine' is a common noun paired with 'esiguo'.

2

Abbiamo solo un esiguo lasso di tempo per decidere.

We only have a short period of time to decide.

'Lasso di tempo' is a fixed expression.

3

Le esigue prove non bastano per condannarlo.

The scant evidence is not enough to convict him.

Legal context usage.

4

Il numero di specie protette è purtroppo esiguo.

The number of protected species is unfortunately meager.

Environmental/scientific context.

5

Ha mostrato un esiguo interesse per la nostra proposta.

He showed scant interest in our proposal.

Describing abstract attitudes.

6

La pioggia è stata esigua durante tutto l'inverno.

Rainfall was meager throughout the winter.

Meteorological usage.

7

Molti vivono con pensioni esigue.

Many live on meager pensions.

Social/economic context.

8

La sua conoscenza della lingua è ancora esigua.

His knowledge of the language is still meager.

Describing levels of skill or knowledge.

1

Nonostante l'esiguo vantaggio, il candidato ha vinto.

Despite the slim lead, the candidate won.

Political/competitive context.

2

Il ricercatore ha lavorato su un campione esiguo.

The researcher worked on a small sample size.

Scientific/statistical terminology.

3

Le esigue dimensioni della stanza rendono difficile l'arredamento.

The small dimensions of the room make furnishing difficult.

Focusing on physical constraints.

4

L'impatto ambientale della fabbrica non è affatto esiguo.

The environmental impact of the factory is by no means meager.

Litotes (negating the opposite) for emphasis.

5

Hanno dovuto accontentarsi di un'esigua fetta di mercato.

They had to settle for a meager market share.

Business metaphor.

6

Il libro dedica uno spazio esiguo alla vita privata dell'artista.

The book devotes scant space to the artist's private life.

Literary/editorial context.

7

Le chance di sopravvivenza erano esigue in quelle condizioni.

The chances of survival were meager in those conditions.

Describing probability.

8

L'esiguo numero di posti letto in ospedale è un problema serio.

The meager number of hospital beds is a serious problem.

Public policy context.

1

L'esigua mole della pubblicazione non ne sminuisce il valore scientifico.

The small size of the publication does not diminish its scientific value.

Formal/Academic register.

2

Si è trattato di un'esigua minoranza che ha protestato.

It was a tiny minority that protested.

Sociological description.

3

Il contributo della filosofia antica a questo dibattito non è esiguo.

The contribution of ancient philosophy to this debate is not meager.

Rhetorical use in academic discourse.

4

L'esigua entità del danno ha permesso una rapida riparazione.

The small extent of the damage allowed for a quick repair.

Technical/Insurance terminology.

5

L'autore analizza il fenomeno con un'esigua base documentale.

The author analyzes the phenomenon with a scant documentary basis.

Critical/Academic tone.

6

Le esigue precipitazioni hanno causato una grave siccità.

The scant precipitation caused a severe drought.

Formal environmental reporting.

7

La differenza tra i due campioni è risultata statisticamente esigua.

The difference between the two samples was found to be statistically meager.

Scientific precision.

8

Rimane un'esigua speranza di trovare superstiti dopo il crollo.

A slender hope remains of finding survivors after the collapse.

Metaphorical/Journalistic use.

1

L'esiguità dei mezzi non frenò l'ardore del giovane esploratore.

The meagerness of the means did not dampen the young explorer's ardor.

Note the noun form 'esiguità' used here.

2

Un esiguo spiraglio di luce filtrava attraverso le pesanti cortine.

A tiny sliver of light filtered through the heavy curtains.

Literary/Poetic imagery.

3

Egli si accontentò di un'esigua porzione di gloria, preferendo la pace.

He was content with a meager portion of glory, preferring peace.

Philosophical/Literary context.

4

La critica ha rilevato un'esigua coerenza interna nella narrazione.

Critics noted a scant internal consistency in the narrative.

High-level literary criticism.

5

Le esigue vestigia del tempio testimoniano una passata grandezza.

The meager remains of the temple testify to a past greatness.

Archaeological/Formal register.

6

Il dibattito si è risolto in un esiguo nulla di fatto.

The debate ended in a meager 'nothing done' (stalemate).

Idiomatic formal expression.

7

L'esigua disponibilità di materie prime ha paralizzato la produzione.

The scant availability of raw materials paralyzed production.

Economic/Industrial analysis.

8

Percepiva un'esigua vibrazione, quasi impercettibile ai sensi umani.

He perceived a meager vibration, almost imperceptible to human senses.

Sensory/Scientific description.

تلازمات شائعة

numero esiguo
somma esigua
margine esiguo
quantità esigua
budget esiguo
tempo esiguo
risorse esigue
stipendio esiguo
maggioranza esigua
spazio esiguo

العبارات الشائعة

in misura esigua

— In a small or limited measure. Often used in formal reports.

Il fenomeno si è verificato solo in misura esigua.

per un esiguo margine

— By a very small margin. Used in competitions or votes.

Hanno perso per un esiguo margine di voti.

di entità esigua

— Of small entity or importance. Used to describe damages or changes.

Il terremoto è stato di entità esigua.

un esiguo numero di

— A small number of. Standard way to quantify nouns.

Un esiguo numero di studenti ha superato il test.

nonostante l'esiguo...

— Despite the meager... Used to create a contrast.

Nonostante l'esiguo preavviso

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