Japanese

Adjective

小さな ‎(hiragana ちいさな, romaji chīsana, historical hiragana ちひさな)

1. (of size or amount) small, little, tiny
2. (of age) young, little

Usage notes

This term may only be used to directly modify a noun. In this grammatical role, it may be used largely interchangeably with 小さい ‎(chīsai), the -i adjective form. In predicative use, only 小さい (chīsai) may be used: あれは*小さだ (are wa *chīsa da) is incorrect grammar. Also, there is no adverbial form *小さに (*chīsa ni), only the regular -ku adverbial form 小さく ‎(chīsaku) of the -i adjective 小さい ‎(chīsai).

Antonyms

• 大 (おお)きな ‎(ōkina): big, large

Related terms

• 小 (ちい)さい ‎(chīsai): little, small

References

1. ↑ 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, ISBN 4-385-13905-9