Chinese · Adjectives

xiǎo

Small

Beginneradjective

Definition

Little in size or amount.

Example

我家有一只小猫。

My family has a small cat.

Etymology

'小' (xiǎo) has a long-standing presence in the Chinese language, historically used to denote size and modesty. Its roots can be traced back to ancient texts.

How & Where It’s Used

'小' is used informally in everyday speech, as well as in writing, across multiple regions in China. It fits various social contexts ranging from casual to official.

Watch “Small” pronunciation on YouTube
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