Readings: ショウ (Onyomi), ちいさい・こ・お (Kunyomi)
Meaning: small, little
小 is a common and useful kanji in Japanese. It describes size and appears in many basic words such as 小さい (small), 小学校 (elementary school), and 小人 (child).
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
| Radical | 小 (small) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 3 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Grade | 1st Grade |
Readings
| Onyomi | ショウ |
|---|---|
| Kunyomi | ちいさい・こ・お |
How to Write – Stroke Order
小 is made of three short strokes and visually resembles something compact. It is very easy to write and great for beginners to remember.
Example Sentences
Japanese: この犬は小さいです。
Kana: このいぬはちいさいです。
Romaji: Kono inu wa chiisai desu.
English: This dog is small.
Japanese: 小学校に通っています。
Kana: しょうがっこうにかよっています。
Romaji: Shougakkou ni kayotteimasu.
English: I go to elementary school.
Japanese: 小さな声で話してください。
Kana: ちいさなこえではなしてください。
Romaji: Chiisana koe de hanashite kudasai.
English: Please speak in a small voice.
Vocabulary Using 小
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 小さい | ちいさい | small |
| 小学校 | しょうがっこう | elementary school |
| 小人 | こびと / しょうにん | child / dwarf |
| 小学生 | しょうがくせい | elementary student |
| 大小 | だいしょう | size (large and small) |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary
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