小さな

Japanese

Kanji in this term
小
ちい Grade: 1
kun'yomi

Etymology

Appears starting from the Muromachi period. Derived as the -na adjective construction of -i adjective 小さい (chīsai, “small, little”). See that entry for further details.

Adnominal

小(ちい)さな • (chīsana) ^{←ちひさな (tifisana)?}

1. (of size or amount) small, little, tiny

   小(ちい)さな本屋(ほんや)

   chīsana hon'ya

   small bookstore

2. (of age) young, little

Usage notes

This term may only be used to directly modify a noun. In this grammatical role, it may be used largely interchangeably with 小さい (chīsai), the -i adjective form. In predicative use, only 小さい (chīsai) may be used: あれは*小さだ (are wa *chīsa da) is incorrect grammar. Also, there is no adverbial form *小さに (*chīsa ni), only the regular -ku adverbial form 小さく (chīsaku) of the -i adjective 小さい (chīsai).

Antonyms

• 大(おお)きな (ōkina): big, large

Related terms

• 小(ちい)さい (chīsai): little, small

Derived terms

• 小(ち)っちゃな (chitchana)