When you want to describe something as small or little in Japanese, you'll use the word ちいさい (chiisai). This is a common adjective that you'll hear a lot. For example, if you see a small dog, you could say 「ちいさい いぬ」 (chiisai inu).
You can also use it to talk about the size of things like rooms, cars, or even a small amount of something. Remember, since it ends in -i, it's an い-adjective, which means its grammatical rules are straightforward. This word is super useful for describing the world around you!
When you're just starting out in Japanese, knowing how to describe sizes is super useful. 「小さい (chiisai)」 means 'small' or 'little'. It's an adjective, which means it describes a noun.
You'll use it in sentences like 「小さい犬 (chiisai inu)」 for 'small dog'. This is a very common word, so getting comfortable with it now will help you a lot as you build more complex sentences. Keep an ear out for it when you're listening to Japanese too!
When talking about size in Japanese, you'll often encounter two common adjectives: 小さい (ちいさい - chiisai) and 小さいな (ちいさいな - chiisana). While both translate to 'small' or 'little' in English, their grammatical usage is slightly different.
小さい (chiisai) is an い-adjective. This means it can directly modify a noun (e.g., 小さい犬 - chiisai inu - a small dog) or act as a predicate (e.g., その犬は小さい - Sono inu wa chiisai - That dog is small).
On the other hand, 小さいな (chiisana) is a な-adjective. It always precedes a noun and cannot stand alone as a predicate. For example, you would say 小さいな家 (chiisana ie - a small house), but you wouldn't say その家は小さいな (Sono ie wa chiisana).
While historically there were stricter rules about when to use which, in modern Japanese, 小さい (chiisai) is generally more versatile and commonly used in both modifying and predicative contexts. 小さいな (chiisana) often carries a slightly more poetic or descriptive nuance, sometimes implying a cuteness or endearment towards the small object.
It's good to be aware of both, but if you're ever unsure, 小さい (chiisai) is usually a safe bet.
Welcome to SubLearn! Today, we're diving into the Japanese adjective ちいさい (chiisai), which means 'small' or 'little.' This is a super common word you'll hear and use all the time, so let's get it down. We'll also look at how it compares to some similar words so you know exactly when to use ちいさい.
§ What ちいさい Means
- Japanese Word
- ちいさい (chiisai)
- Part of Speech
- i-adjective
- Definition
- Small; little.
- CEFR Level
- A2
ちいさい is a straightforward i-adjective. This means it can directly modify a noun (e.g., ちいさい犬 - a small dog) or act as a predicate (e.g., その犬はちいさい - That dog is small).
§ Examples of ちいさい in Use
これはとてもちいさいりんごです。
This is a very small apple.
彼の家は私のアパートよりずっとちいさいです。
His house is much smaller than my apartment.
ちいさい声で話してください。
Please speak in a small (quiet) voice.
§ ちいさい vs. Alternatives
This is where it gets interesting! Japanese has a few words for 'small,' and knowing the nuances will make you sound much more natural. Let's compare ちいさい with some common alternatives.
小さい (ちいさい) vs. 細かい (こまかい)
- ちいさい (chiisai): This is the general word for 'small' in terms of overall size or quantity. It implies a lack of significant magnitude. Think of it as 'not big.'
- 細かい (komakai): This word means 'small' in terms of detail, fineness, or minuteness. It often refers to things that are intricate, fragmented, or of a very fine texture.
When to use which:
ちいさい字 (chiisai ji)
Small writing (referring to the overall size of the characters).
こまかい字 (komakai ji)
Fine/detailed writing (referring to intricate strokes or small print that's hard to read because of its detail).
ちいさいお金 (chiisai okane)
Small amount of money (e.g., a few coins).
こまかいお金 (komakai okane)
Small change (e.g., exact coins to pay for something).
小さい (ちいさい) vs. 少ない (すくない)
- ちいさい (chiisai): Refers to physical size. 'Small' in dimension.
- 少ない (sukunai): Means 'few' or 'little' in terms of quantity or amount. It's about numbers or volume, not physical size.
When to use which:
ちいさい箱 (chiisai hako)
A small box (the box itself is small in dimension).
箱の中にはキャンディーがすくないです。
There are few candies in the box (the quantity of candies is small).
小さい (ちいさい) vs. 微小 (びしょう)
- ちいさい (chiisai): General, common term for 'small.'
- 微小 (bishō): This is a more formal and academic term meaning 'minute,' 'microscopic,' or 'infinitesimal.' It suggests an extremely small size, often imperceptible to the naked eye. It's usually used in scientific or technical contexts.
When to use which:
ちいさい虫 (chiisai mushi)
A small bug (a common bug, maybe small but visible).
微小な生物 (bishō na seibutsu)
Microscopic organisms (things you need a microscope to see).
By understanding these differences, you can confidently use ちいさい and its alternatives correctly. Keep practicing, and you'll master them in no time!
Le savais-tu ?
ちいさい is often used for objects, while すくない (sukunai) is used for amounts or quantities.
Exemples par niveau
小さいりんごをください。
Please give me a small apple.
小さい (chiisai) is an i-adjective. It directly modifies the noun りんご (ringo, apple).
彼女は小さい家住んでいます。
She lives in a small house.
小さい (chiisai) modifies 家 (ie, house).
この本は小さい字で書かれています。
This book is written in small letters.
小さい (chiisai) modifies 字 (ji, letters).
小さい声で話してください。
Please speak in a small voice.
小さい (chiisai) modifies 声 (koe, voice).
このシャツは私には小さいです。
This shirt is small for me.
Verb です (desu, to be) follows the adjective to complete the sentence.
彼の夢は小さいけれど、大切です。
His dream is small, but important.
けれど (keredo, but) connects two clauses.
小さい頃からピアノを習っています。
I have been learning piano since I was little.
小さい頃 (chiisai koro, when I was little) refers to one's childhood.
小さいお子様でも楽しめるイベントです。
It's an event even small children can enjoy.
お子様 (okosama, child, polite) is modified by 小さい (chiisai).
Expressions idiomatiques
"ちいさいこと"
A small thing; a trifle. Often used to refer to something unimportant.
ちいさいことは気にしないでください。 (Please don't worry about the small things.)
neutral"ちいさい声 (こえ)"
A small voice; a whisper. Refers to speaking quietly.
ちいさい声で話してください。 (Please speak in a quiet voice.)
neutral"ちいさい頃 (ころ)"
When one was little; childhood. Refers to one's younger years.
ちいさい頃、よくここで遊びました。 (I often played here when I was little.)
neutral"ちいさい手 (て)"
Small hands. Often used endearingly, especially for children.
赤ちゃんのちいさい手は可愛いですね。 (A baby's small hands are cute, aren't they?)
neutral"ちいさい夢 (ゆめ)"
A small dream; a modest aspiration. Refers to a humble goal.
私にはちいさい夢があります。 (I have a small dream.)
neutral"ちいさい魚 (さかな)"
Small fish. Can refer to literal small fish or, figuratively, to a minor player.
この池にはちいさい魚がたくさんいます。 (There are many small fish in this pond.)
neutral"ちいさい店 (みせ)"
A small shop/store. Refers to a business that is not large.
駅前にちいさいけど美味しいパン屋さんがあります。 (There's a small but delicious bakery in front of the station.)
neutral"ちいさいながら"
Although small; while small. Expresses that something is small but still has a certain quality or function.
ちいさいながらも、この家は居心地がいいです。 (Although small, this house is comfortable.)
neutral"ちいさいお子さん (おこさん)"
A small child; a young child. A polite way to refer to children.
ちいさいお子さん連れのお客様はこちらへどうぞ。 (Customers with small children, please come this way.)
formal"ちいさいながらも一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)"
Small but diligent/hardworking. Emphasizes effort despite size or perceived limitations.
ちいさいながらも一生懸命頑張っています。 (They are small but working very hard.)
neutralComment l'utiliser
When talking about something that is physically small, you can use ちいさい. For example, ちいさいいぬ (small dog) or ちいさいくるま (small car). It can also be used for things that are metaphorically small, like ちいさいゆめ (small dream).
A common mistake is confusing ちいさい with すくない (few/little in quantity). ちいさい refers to physical size, while すくない refers to amount or quantity. For instance, if you have a small amount of water, you'd say みずがすくないです (there is little water), not みずがちいさいです.
Origine du mot
Old Japanese
Sens originel : Small
JaponicContexte culturel
When referring to children, ちいさい can express endearment, similar to 'little one' in English. It can also be used metaphorically, for instance, to describe someone as having a 'small' or timid personality.
Teste-toi 30 questions
There is a small cat.
This is a small car.
Please give me a small book.
Read this aloud:
ちいさいいぬ。
Focus: chi-i-sai i-nu
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
これはちいさいです。
Focus: ko-re wa chi-i-sai de-su
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
ちいさいみかん。
Focus: chi-i-sai mi-kan
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
このかばんはとても＿＿＿です。
The sentence means 'This bag is very small.' 'ちいさい' (chiisai) means small.
ねこは＿＿＿ベッドでねています。
The sentence means 'The cat is sleeping in a small bed.' 'ちいさい' (chiisai) is the adjective form for small.
わたしは＿＿＿いえにすんでいます。
The sentence means 'I live in a small house.' 'ちいさい' (chiisai) is the correct adjective.
このシャツは＿＿＿すぎます。
The sentence means 'This shirt is too small.' 'ちいさい' (chiisai) fits the context.
こどもたちは＿＿＿おもちゃであそんでいます。
The sentence means 'The children are playing with small toys.' 'ちいさい' (chiisai) is the appropriate adjective.
かれは＿＿＿コップでおちゃをのみます。
The sentence means 'He drinks tea in a small cup.' 'ちいさい' (chiisai) describes the size of the cup.
この部屋はとても___ですね。 (This room is very ___.)
The sentence describes the room as being 'very'. 'ちいさい' means small, which fits the context.
私の猫はまだ___子猫です。 (My cat is still a ___ kitten.)
Kittens are typically small, so 'ちいさい' (small) is the appropriate adjective.
彼はいつも___声で話します。 (He always speaks in a ___ voice.)
When describing a voice that is not loud, 'ちいさい' (small/quiet) is used.
この店は___けれど、とても人気があります。 (This store is ___, but it's very popular.)
The contrast 'but very popular' suggests that the store's size might be a disadvantage, making 'ちいさい' (small) a fitting descriptor.
彼女は___ハンドバッグを持っています。 (She has a ___ handbag.)
Handbags can be described by their size, and 'ちいさい' (small) is a common way to describe a compact bag.
その問題は___ことではない。 (That problem is not a ___ thing.)
When discussing the scale or significance of a problem, 'ちいさい' (small/insignificant) can be used.
The small children are playing happily in the park. Listen for the adjective describing the children.
This small apartment has affordable rent and is perfect for living alone. Focus on the description of the apartment.
She has been learning ballet since she was little, and now she is a professional dancer. Listen for when she started learning ballet.
Read this aloud:
あのちいさい箱の中には何が入っているの？
Focus: ちいさい (chiisai)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
私はちいさい頃の夢を追い続けている。
Focus: ちいさい頃 (chiisai koro)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
もっとちいさい声で話してください。周りに聞こえてしまいます。
Focus: ちいさい声 (chiisai koe)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The small child is very energetic.
I thought it was a small problem, but it was actually more complicated.
She has been playing piano since she was little.
Read this aloud:
これは私がちいさい頃に祖母からもらった大切な指輪です。
Focus: ちいさい頃 (chiisai koro)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
ちいさいことにも感謝する気持ちが大切です。
Focus: 感謝する (kansha suru)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
彼はちいさいながらも、その仕事に全力を尽くしました。
Focus: ちいさいながらも (chiisai nagara mo)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Grammaire lie
Plus de mots sur general
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
