Dictionary🇯🇵 Japanese → 🇺🇸 English
Japanese to English Dictionary
小
shou, ko, o
Description
「小」は「大きい」の反対で、サイズが小さいことを表す漢字です。
"小" is a kanji that means small, the opposite of "大きい" (big).
言葉の前について「小さい」という意味をそえたり、「大・中・小」のように大きさを分けるときにも使います。
It is used before words to add the meaning of "small," and also to classify sizes like "大・中・小" (big, medium, small).
Meanings
小shou
small size (as in the small option)
コーヒーは小をください。
I'll have a small coffee, please.
小ko
small; little (prefix on nouns)
小川で魚を見つけた。
I found fish in the small stream.
小shou
elementary school (short for 小学校)
弟は小三年生です。
My younger brother is in third grade of elementary school.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
pictograph of tiny grains, meaning 'small'; read shou (on), ko/o (kun).
- Nuance
as a prefix 小 (ko-) often adds 'little' or a slightly softening, sometimes affectionate tone.
Images