When you want to describe something small in Italian, you can use a variety of delightful words. Whether you're referring to a tiny object, a cute little creature, or a limited stature, Italian has a term that captures the nuance you're looking for.
So, let’s dive into ten great ways to say “little” in Italian, starting with the ever-popular “little” piccolo And enrich your conversations with a series of expressions!
1. Piccolo (small)
Equivalent to English: small
piccolo It's the most common way to express smallness in Italian, and you'll hear it everywhere. It's perfect for describing anything from a minor inconvenience to the height of compactness:
I have to solve a small problem.
I'I'm looking for a small vase.
She is quite small for her age.
She is quite short for her age.
piccolo When referring to someone or something, there are also fun ways to remind people of a familiar person or place, but in miniature:
Matteo is already a bit Steve McCurry, he loves taking pictures!
Matteo already looks a bit like Steve McCurry, he loves taking pictures!
The town was called Little Florence.
The village is known as “Little Florence”.
piccolo Also appears in a variety of idioms, adding color and nuance to conversations.
- What a small world! (It's a small world!) – perfect for when you run into someone you know in the most unexpected place.
- in my little (in my little way) – Use this to express that you are doing your best with everything you have, no matter how small.
- small (use lowercase letters) – perfect for when fine print needs to be emphasized.
- small fish (small fish) – refers to a person with little power or a minor role, usually in a shady situation.
- big fish (big fish) – on the contrary small fishwhich refers to a person with significant influence or power.
2. tiny
Equivalent to English: very small
if piccolo very small, smaller one So cute! You use this affectionate little word when you're cooing to a baby, gushing over a puppy, or just admiring something small and sweet:
How beautiful this little guy is. What's his name?
This little guy is so cute. What's his name?
3. small man
Equivalent to English: tiny
smaller one That's another cute way of saying it small Italian. It's often used to talk about young children, small animals, or anything worthy of extra cuteness. To emphasize how small and sweet something is, Italians often use the word double, resulting in expressions like: smaller one or small, small, small Perfect for bedtime stories.
Once upon a time, there was a little boy who lost his favorite toy.
Once upon a time, there was a little boy who lost his favorite stuffed toy.
smaller one It can also be used as a noun and a synonym for cute. childFor example:
L'Tomorrow's event is open to adults and children.
Tomorrow's event is open to adults and children.
4. Lowercase
Equivalent to English: tiny
tiny This is the word you prefer when you want to talk about something very, very small, like those tiny lowercase letters:
Email address must be written in lowercase.
Email address must be written in lowercase.
It's also great for adding a bit of humor or sarcasm to your description. Imagine receiving a gift and saying: He gave me a small pendant, wasted! (He gave me a small pendant, how generous he was!).
5. Micro
Equivalent to English: tiny
Ever see something so tiny that you almost miss it entirely? In Italian you can describe it as microscopic! This word comes directly from microscope (microscope), implying that whatever you're talking about is so tiny you'd need a microscope to spot it!
We ended up in a tiny little town with not even a place to eat!
We ended up in a very small village where there wasn't even a place to eat!
6. Hard to detect
Equivalent to English: imperceptible
If something is so subtle that it's almost invisible to radar, you'd call it “imperceptible.” This adjective is perfect for describing anything subtle that is not only visually small but also imperceptible to any sense.
Don't worry, Anna, the difference between the two copies is imperceptible and no one will notice.
university teacher'Don't worry, Anna, the difference between the two copies is imperceptible and no one will notice.
7. Narrow
Equivalent to English: narrow
Have you ever been in a small space and it felt like the walls were closing in? Then you need this word narrow! You would use this adjective when describing something uncomfortable, cramped, almost suffocating:
Our room was very cramped and didn't even have a window.
They gave us a cramped room without even a window.
8. Minutes of meeting
Equivalent to English: tiny
If you want to describe a person as petite and exquisite, every minute This word is for you. This adjective refers to a person's short stature, as in a person's stature that fits just right into a tight space or is effortlessly elegant. Synonyms such as Highlight (slender) and mingelino (weak) add some changes:
Carlo liked little girls and I was too tall for him.
Carlo likes petite girls, I'I'm too tall for him.
9. Basso
Equivalent to English: short
When the height is not so high, bass intervention! Whether you're talking about yourself, someone else, or an object, this adjective has you covered. Just a reminder – please pay attention to the context because bass It can sometimes be a sensitive topic for some people.
I'm shorter than my sister.
I'm shorter than my sister.
Basso It is also often used to talk about things of low value or small quantity. For example, if you were talking about a bargain, you would say low price (a small price).
10. Modesto
Equivalent to English: humble
modesto Helpful in describing something small or inconspicuous. It's often used to talk about situations where resources are limited or achievements are undervalued, but it still carries a sense of quiet dignity:
His salary was meager, but he never left anything for his children.
His salary is meager, but he'He never failed to provide for his children.
Valentina Nicastro He is a travel writer who loves his motherland, Italy. After traveling around the world, she realized there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put her passport aside for the time being. When she's not immersed in documenting Italy, you'll find her donning her hat as a communications consultant, weaving words as a content writer and bridging language gaps as a translator.
