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March 24, 2026
小xiǎo(xiao3)
The character 小 (xiǎo) means 'small' or 'tiny' and is often used to describe size, quantity, or age. It can refer to physical dimensions, such as a small object, or metaphorical senses, like a small amount of something or a young person.
Strokes3Radical小Frequency#125DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 'small' can have positive connotations, such as modesty or humility, which contrasts with the Western idea of 'bigger is better.' This is reflected in phrases like 小而美 (xiǎo ér měi, 'small yet beautiful').
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny mouse (小) peeking out from a small hole. The character resembles a little person with arms stretched wide, emphasizing its smallness. The pronunciation 'xiǎo' sounds like 'shout' but softer, as if a small creature is quietly calling for attention.
Meanings of 小
xiǎo(xiao3)
1small
2tiny
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 小
小Simplified
3Strokes
小Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#125Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 小
Podcast: 小
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AI Study Notes for 小
Quick Contrast
小 (xiǎo) vs 短 (duǎn) — use 小 for size or age, while 短 specifically refers to length.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny mouse (小) peeking out from a small hole. The character resembles a little person with arms stretched wide, emphasizing its smallness. The pronunciation 'xiǎo' sounds like 'shout' but softer, as if a small creature is quietly calling for attention.
Usage Notes
小 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of its tone when speaking, as it is pronounced with a third tone (falling-rising). It often appears in compound words like 小心 (xiǎo xīn, 'careful') and 小朋友 (xiǎo péng yǒu, 'children').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 小 connects well to other basic vocabulary, such as 大 (dà, 'big') and 多 (duō, 'many'). Students should practice using it in simple sentences to describe objects or people.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 'small' can have positive connotations, such as modesty or humility, which contrasts with the Western idea of 'bigger is better.' This is reflected in phrases like 小而美 (xiǎo ér měi, 'small yet beautiful').
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 小 with 大 (dà, 'big') due to their opposite meanings. For example, saying 小大 (xiǎo dà) incorrectly combines the two; instead, use 小 and 大 separately based on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 小
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Grammar Patterns of 小
小 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Seems to me you'vetaken quite a shine to Miss Richmond.
9
小姑娘，你对父母那样无礼吗？
xiǎo gū niáng， ， nǐ duì fù mǔ nà yàng wú lǐ？
Are you that sassy with your parents, young lady?
10
把你最好的一两首歌的小样寄给我们。
bǎ nǐ zuì hǎo de yī liǎng shǒu gē de xiǎo yàng jì gěi wǒ mén。
Send us a demo with one or two of your best songs.
Cultural Notes for 小
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 'small' can have positive connotations, such as modesty or humility, which contrasts with the Western idea of 'bigger is better.' This is reflected in phrases like 小而美 (xiǎo ér měi, 'small yet beautiful').
Word Family of 小
Compounds69
觉jiao4a nap
当dang1(onom.) dong
应ying1surname Ying
常Chang2surname Chang
学xue2to learn
尔er3variant of 爾
少shao3few
兴Xing1surname Xing
原Yuan2former
光guang1light
步Bu4surname Bu
示shi4to show
尝chang2to taste
尚Shang4surname Shang
尖jian1point (of needle)
党Dang3surname Dang
京Jing1abbr. for Beijing
孙Sun1surname Sun
肖Xiao1surname Xiao
穆Mu4majestic; reverent, solemn
尘chen2dust
隙xi4crack
佘She2surname
尕ga3small (used in place names)
棠tang2crabapple tree; wild plum
尓
糸mi4silk; thread
唢suo3a flute-like musical instrument
佥qian1all, together, unanimous
労
厳
厼
営
喾ku4one of five legendary emperors
尗shu1younger brother; father's younger brother
尙shang4still, yet; even; fairly, rather
尜ga2a child's toy
栄
桜
県xian4county, district, subdivision
虩
蛍
覚
鲎hou4king crab
鸴
鹩liao2wren
黉hong2school
亰
仦
嗩suo3a flute-like musical instrument
坣
夵
尐
尒
尛
尞liao4fuel used for sacrifices
峃
毜
泶xue2
溑
珱
瑣suo3petty; trifling; troublesome
畄
糹si1silk; thread
覍
釥
鎖suo3lock, padlock; chains, shackles
鴬
齋zhai1to fast, to abstain; a vegetarian diet
Words Containing This Character20
小xiǎosmall
小时xiǎoshíhour小時
小姐xiǎojiěmiss
小心xiǎoxīnto be careful
小子(coll.) boy
小孩child
小组xiǎozǔgroup小組
小说xiǎoshuōnovel小說
大小dàxiǎodimension
小学xiǎoxuéelementary school小學
小区xiǎoqūneighborhood小區
小伙子xiǎohuǒziyoung man
小时候xiǎoshíhouin one's childhood小時候
小小very small
从小cóngxiǎofrom childhood從小
小朋友xiǎopéngyǒuchild
小型xiǎoxíngsmall scale
小偷thief
小孩子child
中小企业small and medium enterprise中小企業
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 觉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 小
You can say 小猫 (xiǎo māo) to mean 'small cat' or 小学 (xiǎo xué) for 'elementary school'.
Yes, it can describe young people or children, like in 小朋友 (xiǎo péng yǒu), which means 'little friends'.
