How common it is
小 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say xiǎo slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
小表示大小中的小，也可以指年龄小。
xiǎo biǎo shì dà xiǎo zhōng de xiǎo， yě kě yǐ zhǐ nián líng xiǎo。
小 means small in size and can also mean young in age.
Context note
小常用于形容东西、动物和孩子。
xiǎo cháng yòng yú xíng róng dōng xī 、 dòng wù hé hái zi。
小 is often used to describe things, animals, and children.
5 examples
这只猫很小。
zhè zhī māo hěn xiǎo。
This cat is very small.
我有一个小书包。
wǒ yǒu yí gè xiǎo shū bāo。
I have a small school bag.
小朋友在操场上玩。
xiǎo péng yǒu zài cāo chǎng shàng wán。
The children are playing on the playground.
这间房子很小。
zhè jiān fáng zi hěn xiǎo。
This room is very small.
她妹妹还很小。
tā mèi mei hái hěn xiǎo。
Her younger sister is still very young.
5 mini stories
小鸟站在树枝上唱歌。声音很轻。
xiǎo niǎo zhàn zài shù zhī shàng chàng gē。 shēng yīn hěn qīng。
A small bird is singing on the branch. Its voice is very soft.
我的小书包很轻。上学时背起来很方便。
wǒ de xiǎo shū bāo hěn qīng。 shàng xué shí bèi qǐ lái hěn fāng biàn。
My small school bag is very light. It is easy to carry to school.
弟弟还小。妈妈总是照顾他。
dì di hái xiǎo。 mā ma zǒng shì zhào gù tā。
My younger brother is still small. Mom always takes care of him.
这个盒子很小。里面只能放几支笔。
zhè ge hé zi hěn xiǎo。 lǐ miàn zhǐ néng fàng jǐ zhī bǐ。
This box is very small. It can only hold a few pens.
小花在窗台上开得很好。
xiǎo huā zài chuāng tái shàng kāi dé hěn hǎo。
The small flowers on the windowsill are blooming well.