小さな
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Base form of the na-adjective used attributively before nouns. It must be followed by a noun, e.g., 『小さな家』 (chiisana ie, 'small house').
Theme
While shopping for souvenirs in Kyoto, User and their friend Aya discuss choosing small gifts for family members.
小さな
ちいさな
small, little
Core Language Building BlocksCore Adjectives
Memory Hook
Imagine a tiny, little ant carrying a small crumb. You point and say, 『小さな』 (chiisana, 'small, little') — it sounds like 'cheese-ah-na,' and cheese can be cut into small pieces!
Cultural Note
In Japanese, 『小さな』 (chiisana) is often used to describe cute or delicate things, such as small animals, children, or objects. It's common in phrases like 『小さな店』 (chiisana mise, 'small shop') or 『小さな幸せ』 (chiisana shiawase, 'little happiness').
Forms
Base: 小さなBase form of the na-adjective used attributively before nouns. It must be followed by a noun, e.g., 『小さな家』 (chiisana ie, 'small house').
Negative: 小さくないUse the adverbial form 『小さく』 (chiisaku) + 『ない』 (nai, 'not') → 『小さくない』 (chiisakunai). This is the negative form for the adjective stem.
Past: 小さかったUse the adverbial form 『小さく』 (chiisaku) + 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『小さかった』 (chiisakatta). This is the past tense form.
Adverbial: 小さくDrop the 『な』 (na) from the base form and add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『小さく』 (chiisaku). Used to modify verbs or other adjectives.
Comparative: より小さなComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base form 『小さな』 (chiisana). Must be followed by a noun, e.g., 『より小さな箱』 (yori chiisana hako, 'smaller box').
Superlative: 一番小さなSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + base form 『小さな』 (chiisana). Must be followed by a noun, e.g., 『一番小さな犬』 (ichiban chiisana inu, 'the smallest dog').