小

xiǎo

HSK 2.0Level 1

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

xiǎo (adjective) small; tiny

xiǎo (adjective) young

xiǎo (adjective) few

Etymology

Depicts three small dots, representing the meaning "small". Originally the same character as 少. The small dots possibly represent grains of sand (沙).

About

小 originated as a pictograph of three tiny dots, likely representing grains of sand (沙), and was originally identical to 少. This image conveyed smallness in size, quantity, or significance. The modern character is written with a central vertical stroke ending in a hook, and two short diagonal strokes. Over time, its range extended to describe youth (humans or animals) and trivial matters. It is also used as a prefix in given names and titles to express endearment, familiarity, or junior status within a hierarchy.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我有一只小狗。

Wǒ yǒu yī zhǐ xiǎo gǒu.

I have a puppy.

小心路上有车。

Xiǎoxīn lù shàng yǒu chē.

Be careful, there are cars on the road.

那个小孩很聪明。

Nàge xiǎo hái hěn cōngmíng.

That child is very smart.

这个房子太小了。

Zhège fángzi tài xiǎo le.

This house is too small.

我喜欢吃小蛋糕。

Wǒ xǐhuān chī xiǎo dàngāo.

I like to eat small cakes.

小狗跑得很快，但它很小。

Xiǎo gǒu pǎo de hěn kuài, dàn tā hěn xiǎo.

The puppy runs very fast, but it is very small.

那个小书店里有很多有趣的书。

Nàge xiǎo shūdiàn lǐ yǒu hěn duō yǒuqù de shū.

That small bookstore has many interesting books.

虽然这个城市很小，但是生活很方便。

Suīrán zhège chéngshì hěn xiǎo, dànshì shēnghuó hěn fāngbiàn.

Although this city is small, life is very convenient.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 小

Example Words