In 15 Seconds
- The French way to say 'smaller' using 'more small'.
- Requires gender agreement: add an 'e' for feminine nouns.
- Use 'que' after it to say 'smaller than'.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say 'smaller' in French. You use it whenever you want to compare the size of two things or people.
Key Examples
3 of 6Shopping for clothes
Ce pantalon est plus petit que l'autre.
These pants are smaller than the other ones.
Describing siblings
Mon frère est plus petit que moi.
My brother is shorter than me.
In a professional meeting
Le risque est plus petit cette année.
The risk is smaller this year.
Cultural Background
In cities like Paris, 'plus petit' is often a selling point for apartments or cars due to space constraints. A 'plus petit' car is easier to park in tight spots. French portions are often 'plus petites' than American ones, focusing on quality over quantity. Asking for a 'plus petite' portion is common and not considered rude. The 'plus petit' of the family often receives a lot of affection and is sometimes called 'le petit dernier' (the little last one). The concept of 'petit' is immortalized in 'Le Petit Prince', where the size of planets is a central theme to the story's philosophy.
The 'E' Rule
Always check if the noun is feminine. If it is, 'petit' must become 'petite'.
Silent S
In 'plus petit', do NOT pronounce the 's' in 'plus'. It's /ply/, not /plys/.
In 15 Seconds
- The French way to say 'smaller' using 'more small'.
- Requires gender agreement: add an 'e' for feminine nouns.
- Use 'que' after it to say 'smaller than'.
What It Means
Think of plus petit as your magic wand for comparing sizes. In English, we just slap an '-er' on the end of the word 'small' to get 'smaller.' French is a bit more systematic about it. It literally translates to 'more small.' You will use this whenever one thing is tinier than another. It is one of the first building blocks you need in the language. It’s friendly, clear, and very easy to use once you know the trick.
How To Use It
Using it is like building with Lego blocks. You take your object, add est (is), then plus petit. If you want to compare it to something else, add que. For example, 'A is plus petit que B.' Here is the important part: French adjectives are picky. They must match the gender of the noun. If you are talking about a car (une voiture), it becomes plus petite. If it's plural, add an s to make it plus petits. It sounds exactly the same when spoken, but the spelling matters for your texts!
When To Use It
You will use this constantly while shopping in France. Maybe that cute beret is plus petit than you expected? Or perhaps you are at a cafe and your friend's croissant looks bigger than yours. You can jokingly complain that your pastry is plus petit. It’s also the standard way to describe someone’s height. If your brother is shorter than you, he is plus petit. Use it for apartments, dogs, portions of food, or even abstract problems. It’s a very versatile tool for your linguistic belt.
When NOT To Use It
Be careful not to confuse physical size with quantity. If you want 'less' sugar in your coffee, don't say plus petit. Use moins for that. Also, try to avoid using it for age. While 'small' can mean 'young' in English, French prefers plus jeune. If you say a person is plus petit, people will look at their physical height, not their birth certificate. Also, don't forget the que. Saying 'smaller that' instead of 'smaller than' is a common slip-up for beginners.
Cultural Background
In France, space is often at a premium. Apartments in Paris are notoriously plus petits than those in the suburbs or in other countries. This phrase is a staple of daily survival and negotiation. It’s not necessarily an insult; it’s just a practical observation. Interestingly, French doesn't have a special single word for 'smaller' like 'moindre' (which is only for abstract things like risks). They keep it simple and literal with plus petit for almost everything.
Common Variations
If something is the absolute smallest, you add a 'the' in front. That makes it le plus petit or la plus petite. You’ll also hear un tout petit peu plus petit. That’s a mouthful, right? It just means 'a tiny bit smaller.' Another fun one is de plus en plus petit. This means 'smaller and smaller.' It’s perfect for describing your bank account after a long weekend of shopping at French boutiques.
Usage Notes
Always ensure the adjective 'petit' agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes. It is a neutral phrase suitable for all levels of formality.
The 'E' Rule
Always check if the noun is feminine. If it is, 'petit' must become 'petite'.
Silent S
In 'plus petit', do NOT pronounce the 's' in 'plus'. It's /ply/, not /plys/.
Que vs Than
Memorize 'plus... que' as a single unit to avoid saying 'plus... de'.
Examples
6Ce pantalon est plus petit que l'autre.
These pants are smaller than the other ones.
A very common phrase when trying on different sizes.
Mon frère est plus petit que moi.
My brother is shorter than me.
In this context, it refers to height, not age.
Le risque est plus petit cette année.
The risk is smaller this year.
Used here to describe an abstract scale or probability.
L'appart est plus petit en vrai, c'est dommage !
The apartment is smaller in person, it's a shame!
Casual observation about a real estate disappointment.
Mon dessert est plus petit que le tien, je suis jaloux !
My dessert is smaller than yours, I'm jealous!
Playful use of the comparative during a meal.
On se sent plus petit dans une grande ville comme Paris.
One feels smaller in a big city like Paris.
Reflects a feeling of being insignificant or tiny.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'plus petit' (remember agreement!).
Ma voiture est ______ ______ que ton camion.
'Voiture' is feminine singular, so you must add an 'e' to 'petit'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Comparing two houses:
It correctly uses the feminine agreement and the 'que' for comparison.
Complete the dialogue in the store.
Client: 'Ce pantalon est trop grand.' Vendeur: 'Désolé. Est-ce que vous voulez un ______ ______ ?'
'Pantalon' is masculine singular.
Match the French phrase to its English meaning.
Phrases:
Matches gender, number, and intensity.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender and Number Agreement
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMa voiture est ______ ______ que ton camion.
'Voiture' is feminine singular, so you must add an 'e' to 'petit'.
Comparing two houses:
It correctly uses the feminine agreement and the 'que' for comparison.
Client: 'Ce pantalon est trop grand.' Vendeur: 'Désolé. Est-ce que vous voulez un ______ ______ ?'
'Pantalon' is masculine singular.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matches gender, number, and intensity.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIn the comparative 'plus petit', the 's' is silent. You only pronounce it in mathematical additions or when 'plus' is at the end of a sentence.
Yes, but 'plus jeune' is more common. 'Le plus petit' often refers to the youngest child in a family.
No. 'Plus petit' is for physical size. 'Moindre' is for abstract things like importance or quality.
Use 'beaucoup plus petit' or 'bien plus petit'.
Yes, it becomes 'plus petits' (masculine) or 'plus petites' (feminine).
Related Phrases
moins grand
similarless big
minuscule
specialized formtiny
plus jeune
similaryounger
moindre
contrastlesser
