小さい
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Base i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes size, often used for objects, animals, or people. Note: The kanji 小 is read as 『ちい』 (chii) in this adjective.
Theme
At a pet shop, User and their friend Aya are looking at puppies and discussing which one to adopt.
小さい
ちいさい
small
Core Language Building BlocksCore Adjectives
Memory Hook
Imagine a tiny mouse saying 'small' in a squeaky voice: 'Chii-sai!' → 『小さい』 (chiisai, 'small'). The kanji 小 looks like a small person with arms outstretched, symbolizing something little.
Cultural Note
In Japanese culture, 『小』 (shou, 'small') is often used in words like 『小さい』 (chiisai, 'small') to describe objects, animals, or children. It's common in phrases like 『小包み』 (kozutsumi, 'small package') or 『小説』 (shousetsu, 'novel', literally 'small talk').
Forms
Base: 小さいBase i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes size, often used for objects, animals, or people. Note: The kanji 小 is read as 『ちい』 (chii) in this adjective.
Negative: 小さくないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『小さくない』 (chiisakunai).
Past: 小さかったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『小さかった』 (chiisakatta).
Adverbial: 小さくDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『小さく』 (chiisaku).
Comparative: より小さいComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番小さいSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.