Small in Spanish
The Spanish word for 'small' is 'pequeño', pronounced peh-KEH-nyoh (IPA: /peˈkeɲo/). It is an A1-level adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (masculine plural: pequeños).
Pronunciation: peh-KEH-nyoh
| Spanish | pequeño |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | peh-KEH-nyoh · /peˈkeɲo/ |
| Part of speech | adjective |
| Plural | pequeños |
| Level | A1 (beginner-friendly) |
Example Sentences with 'pequeño'
- Mi apartamento es pequeño pero cómodo.
My apartment is small but comfortable. - Tienen una hija pequeña de tres años.
They have a small three-year-old daughter. - Los pueblos pequeños son más tranquilos.
Small towns are quieter. - Compra dos maletas pequeñas en vez de una grande.
Buy two small suitcases instead of one big one.
Common Phrases with 'pequeño'
- desde pequeño
since childhood
How to Use 'pequeño'
Regular four-form adjective: pequeño, pequeña, pequeños, pequeñas. Applied to children it means young (mi hermana pequeña = my little sister).
Regional note: Chico/chica is the everyday word for 'small' in much of Latin America (una casa chica), with the affectionate diminutive chiquito very common.
How to Say 'Smaller' and 'Smallest' in Spanish
Spanish has two comparatives for pequeño, and they are not interchangeable:
| smaller (in size) | más pequeño / más pequeña |
|---|---|
| smaller, younger (in age or rank) | menor |
| the smallest | el más pequeño / la más pequeña |
| the youngest child | el menor / la menor |
| as small as | tan pequeño como |
| a little bit smaller | un poco más pequeño |
Use más pequeño when you mean physical size (esta maleta es más pequeña) and menor for age or importance (mi hermana menor — my younger sister). The diminutive -ito ending does similar work in conversation: una casita is a small, often cosy, house. The opposite of pequeño is grande, and you can practise both with our Spanish vocabulary lists.
Related Vocabulary
Keep going: review gender and articles in Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
'Small' in Spanish is 'pequeño', pronounced peh-KEH-nyoh.
It is spelled p-e-q-u-e-ñ-o.
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