You use petite to say a woman is small. If a woman is not very tall, you can say she is petite. It is a nice way to describe someone.
When you go shopping, you might see a petite section. This is for women who are shorter than average. It is a very common word in fashion stores.
The word petite is an adjective used to describe a woman who is small, thin, and graceful. It is more descriptive than just saying 'short.' You will often hear it in contexts involving clothing, as it refers to specific sizing for shorter frames.
In English, petite is a borrowed term from French. It carries a connotation of elegance. While it is technically an adjective of size, it is almost exclusively applied to women. Using it correctly shows you understand the nuances of descriptive language in English.
The usage of petite is highly specialized. Unlike 'small' or 'tiny,' which are neutral, petite implies a well-proportioned, dainty figure. In academic or literary contexts, it may be used to paint a picture of a character who is physically delicate, contrasting their size with their personality or actions.
Etymologically, petite reflects the influence of French on the English lexicon, particularly regarding terms of endearment or physical description. In high-register discourse, it functions as a precise descriptor that avoids the potential bluntness of 'short.' Its usage is culturally bound to the fashion industry and personal description, and it serves as a prime example of how linguistic borrowing maintains specific gendered associations in the target language.
petite 30초 만에
- Petite means small and trim.
- It is used almost exclusively for women.
- It is a French loanword.
- It is common in the fashion industry.
When you hear the word petite, think of someone who is small, trim, and dainty. It is a very specific word that is almost exclusively used to describe a woman's physical appearance.
Unlike the word 'small,' which can apply to anything from a box to a bug, petite carries a slightly more complimentary tone. It suggests that the person is not just short, but also has a neat, well-proportioned frame. You will see it most often in clothing stores, where petite sections cater to women who are generally under 5'4" tall.
The word petite is a direct loanword from French, where it is the feminine form of the adjective petit, meaning 'small.' It entered the English language in the late 18th century.
Because it comes from French, it retains a bit of that 'fancy' flair. In its original context, it was used to describe anything small or insignificant, but in English, it narrowed down to focus specifically on human stature. It is a great example of how English adopts words from other languages to add nuance to our descriptions of people.
You will most commonly encounter petite in the world of fashion and retail. Phrases like 'petite clothing' or 'petite frame' are standard.
It is important to remember that this word is generally reserved for women. Calling a man 'petite' is quite rare and might sound unusual or slightly confusing to native speakers, who might prefer 'slight' or 'short' instead. Use it when you want to be polite and describe someone's size in a way that sounds delicate or graceful.
While petite itself isn't the core of many idioms, it is often used in descriptive phrases. 1. Petite frame: Used to describe someone's bone structure. 2. Petite size: The standard industry term for clothing. 3. Small but mighty: Often used to describe a petite person with a strong personality. 4. Dainty and petite: A common collocation emphasizing grace. 5. Petite stature: A formal way to describe height.
Petite is an adjective, so it does not have a plural form. You would say 'two petite women,' not 'two petites' (unless referring to a clothing size category). The stress is on the second syllable: puh-TEET.
It rhymes with words like 'complete,' 'delete,' and 'retreat.' In both British and American English, the pronunciation is remarkably consistent, making it a safe word to use without worrying about regional variations.
재미있는 사실
It is a feminine form of 'petit'.
발음 가이드
- Pronouncing the 'e' at the end
- Rhyming with 'kite'
- Stressing the first syllable
난이도
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
다음에 무엇을 배울까
선수 학습
다음에 배울 것
고급
알아야 할 문법
Adjective placement
The petite girl.
Loanwords
Petite from French.
Gendered adjectives
Petite for women.
수준별 예문
She is a petite woman.
She is a small woman.
Adjective before noun.
The dress is petite.
The dress is for small people.
Adjective after verb.
She has a petite frame.
She has a small body.
Possessive adjective.
Is this size petite?
Is this a small size?
Question structure.
She is very petite.
She is very small.
Adverb of degree.
She wears petite clothes.
She wears small clothes.
Adjective modifying noun.
She looks petite.
She appears small.
Linking verb.
Are you petite?
Are you small?
Direct question.
She looks so petite in that coat.
I need the petite version of these pants.
The store has a section for petite women.
She is quite petite for her age.
My sister is very petite.
They sell petite sizes online.
She is a petite, elegant lady.
That petite frame is very strong.
Finding clothes for a petite figure can be hard.
She has a petite, graceful build.
The brand specializes in petite fashion.
Despite being petite, she is a great athlete.
She chose a petite model for the photo shoot.
Her petite stature surprised everyone.
The boutique caters to petite customers.
I am looking for a petite size small.
Her petite frame belies her immense strength.
The collection includes several petite options.
She has always been quite petite.
The tailor adjusted the hem for her petite frame.
Many designers now offer petite ranges.
She carries herself with a petite elegance.
It is difficult to find petite clothing in this shop.
The petite proportions of the room made it feel cozy.
The protagonist was described as a petite woman with sharp eyes.
Her petite appearance often led people to underestimate her.
The fashion industry has been criticized for its limited petite offerings.
She possessed a petite, almost fragile beauty.
Despite her petite build, she commanded the room.
The store layout features a dedicated petite department.
Her petite frame was perfectly suited for the dance.
The designer's vision was tailored for the petite woman.
Her petite, doll-like features were often the subject of the portrait.
The petite silhouette of the dress emphasized her grace.
Societal standards often equate a petite frame with femininity.
She navigated the crowded hall with a petite, swift gait.
The petite sizing category is a staple of modern retail.
Her petite stature was no match for her booming voice.
The author painted a picture of a petite, unassuming figure.
The garment was meticulously crafted for a petite frame.
자주 쓰는 조합
관용어 및 표현
"Small but mighty"
Someone who is small but very strong or capable
Don't underestimate her; she's small but mighty.
casual"Good things come in small packages"
Small things can be valuable or excellent
She may be petite, but she's a genius. Good things come in small packages!
casual"A petite powerhouse"
A small person with a lot of energy or influence
She is a petite powerhouse in the business world.
casual"Dainty as a flower"
Very delicate and small
She moved with grace, dainty as a flower.
literary"Small in stature"
Short in height
Though small in stature, he led the team well.
formal혼동하기 쉬운
Both mean little
Small is neutral, petite is for women
A small box vs a petite woman.
Both refer to height
Short is just height, petite is build
He is short vs she is petite.
Both imply smallness
Tiny is very small, petite is a size
Tiny ant vs petite woman.
Both mean thin
Slight is very thin, petite is small
Slight frame vs petite woman.
문장 패턴
Subject + is + petite
She is petite.
Subject + has a + petite + frame
She has a petite frame.
Adjective + noun
The petite woman walked in.
Look + petite
You look petite in that dress.
Specialist + in + petite + clothing
This store is a specialist in petite clothing.
어휘 가족
명사
형용사
관련
사용법
7
-
Using petite for men
→
Use 'short' or 'slight'
Petite is gendered for women.
-
Using petite for objects
→
Use 'small' or 'tiny'
Petite describes people.
-
Mispronouncing as 'pet-ite'
→
puh-TEET
The 'ite' is not pronounced like 'bite'.
-
Pluralizing as 'petites'
→
petite women
Adjectives don't take -s.
-
Confusing with 'petit'
→
petite
Petit is the French masculine form.
팁
Memory Palace
Imagine a tiny person in a French cafe.
Fashion Context
Use it when shopping for clothes.
French Flair
Remember its French roots.
No Plural
Never add an 's' to petite.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Gender Check
Only for women.
Did You Know?
It's the feminine form of 'petit'.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about your friends.
Nuance
It means more than just short.
Polite Speech
Use it to be polite.
암기하기
기억법
Petite sounds like 'pete' - think of a small person named Pete.
시각적 연상
A small, elegant person in a well-fitting suit.
Word Web
챌린지
Describe three people you know using the word petite.
어원
French
원래 의미: Small
문화적 맥락
Can be seen as a compliment, but should be used carefully depending on the person's comfort.
Commonly used in fashion retail to categorize clothing sizes.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Shopping
- Do you have this in petite?
- I need the petite size.
- Is this petite?
Describing people
- She is very petite.
- She has a petite build.
- She is petite and elegant.
Fashion industry
- Petite collection
- Petite sizing
- Designed for the petite woman.
Writing/Literature
- A petite figure
- A petite, graceful woman
- Her petite stature.
대화 시작하기
"Do you find it hard to find petite clothing?"
"How would you describe your style?"
"Do you think the word petite is a compliment?"
"Who is the most petite person you know?"
"Why do you think we use French words in English?"
일기 주제
Write about a time you had to find a specific size.
Describe a friend using the word petite.
Why is it important to use words like petite?
How does language change when we borrow words from French?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문It is rare and usually avoided.
Usually, yes.
puh-TEET.
Yes, it is a French loanword.
It implies short and trim.
No, only for people.
Yes, for clothing sizes.
There is no plural for the adjective.
셀프 테스트
She is a ___ woman.
Petite describes a small woman.
What does petite mean?
Petite refers to a small, trim build.
You should use 'petite' to describe a large man.
Petite is for women.
Word
뜻
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
Subject + verb + adjective.
I need a ___ size.
Petite is a common clothing size.
Which is a synonym?
Dainty is a synonym for petite.
Petite comes from French.
It is a loanword from French.
Word
뜻
Matching descriptive nuances.
Adjective modifies noun.
점수: /10
Summary
Petite is a polite, elegant way to describe a woman who is small in stature.
- Petite means small and trim.
- It is used almost exclusively for women.
- It is a French loanword.
- It is common in the fashion industry.
Memory Palace
Imagine a tiny person in a French cafe.
Fashion Context
Use it when shopping for clothes.
French Flair
Remember its French roots.
No Plural
Never add an 's' to petite.
예시
Elle a une petite voiture rouge.
관련 콘텐츠
맥락에서 배우기
관련 표현
general 관련 단어
à cause de
A2Because of; on account of (a neutral or negative cause).
à côté
A2Next to; beside.
à côté de
A2Next to, beside.
À droite
A2To the right; on the right side.
À gauche
A2To the left; on the left side.
à la
A2To the (feminine singular), indicates direction or location.
à laquelle
B2To which; at which (feminine singular).
à mesure que
B2As; while; in proportion as.
abrégé
B1An abstract, summary, or abridgment.
absence
A2The state of being away from a place or person.
