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Describing 'small' with 小 (xiǎo)
Comparison
Description & Modification
Structure
小 + Noun
Explanation
The adjective 小 (xiǎo) means 'small' or 'little' and is one of the most basic descriptive words in Chinese. It can directly modify a noun without 的 in common collocations like 小狗 (puppy/small dog) and 小孩 (small child), and it also appears in comparative constructions.
Examples
这个房间太小了，放不下那张桌子。
Zhège fángjiān tài xiǎo le, fàng bú xià nà zhāng zhuōzi.
This room is too small — that table won't fit.
她家有一只小猫，特别可爱。
Tā jiā yǒu yī zhī xiǎo māo, tèbié kě'ài.
She has a little cat at home that is especially cute.
小朋友们排好队，我们准备出发。
Xiǎo péngyǒumen pái hǎo duì, wǒmen zhǔnbèi chūfā.
Line up, children — we're about to set off.