The Difference Between “Chiisai” 小さい and “Chiisana” 小さな
“Don’t both mean ‘small’? Why do we need to differentiate between them?”
“I understand ‘talking in a small voice,’ but can ‘chiisana’ be used as an adjective, like saying ‘today was a small day’?”
How can I tell when to use “chiisai” and “chiisana”?
Both “chiisai” (小さい, ちいさい) and “chiisana” (小さな, ちいさな) express the concept of “small,” but using them differently allows for richer expression.
In this article, Eri-san a staff member from the JPLT Online Japanese Language School, explains the subtle differences between these two words with specific examples.
Differences Between “Chiisai” and “Chiisana”
Chiisai (小さい, ちいさい):
- Used when describing the size of something objectively.
- Often used with numbers or units, emphasizing specific size.
- Example: Kono hako wa chiisai (この箱は小さい, このはこはちいさい) – “This box is small.”
Watashi no ie wa chiisai (私の家は小さい, わたしのいえはちいさい) – “My house is small.”
Chiisana (小さな, ちいさな):
- Used when describing the size of something subjectively.
- Often emphasizes cuteness, endearment, or smallness compared to something else.
- Example: Chiisana kodomo (小さな子供, ちいさなこども) – “A small child.”
Chiisana hana (小さな花, ちいさなはな) – “A small flower.”
Chiisana shiawase (小さな幸せ, ちいさなしあわせ) – “Small happiness.”
Let’s Compare with Example Sentences!
| Word | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Chiisai (小さい, ちいさい) | Kono hako wa chiisai. Saizu wa 10cm × 10cm desu. (この箱は小さい。サイズは10cm × 10cmです。) – “This box is small. The size is 10cm x 10cm.” | Objective size |
| Chiisana (小さな, ちいさな) | Chiisana kodomo ga kouen de asonde iru. (小さな子供が公園で遊んでいる。ちいさなこどもがこうえんであそんでいる) – “A small child is playing in the park.” | Emphasizes cuteness or endearment |
| Chiisai (小さい, ちいさい) | Nihon no ie wa seiyou no ie to kurabete chiisai. (日本の家は西洋の家と比べて小さい。にほんのいえはせいようのいえとくらべてちいさい) – “Japanese houses are small compared to Western houses.” | Comparison |
| Chiisana (小さな, ちいさな) | Chiisana shiawase o mitsukeru koto ga taisetsu desu. (小さな幸せを見つけることが大切です。ちいさなしあわせをみつけることがたいせつです) – “It is important to find small happiness.” | Subjective emotion |
Let’s Dive Deeper!
- “Chiisai” (小さい, ちいさい): Used when stating facts.
- “Chiisana” (小さな, ちいさな): Used when conveying emotions or impressions.
Conclusion
Both “chiisai” (小さい, ちいさい) and “chiisana” (小さな, ちいさな) express “small,” but they have slightly different nuances:
- Chiisai (小さい, ちいさい): Objective size.
- Chiisana (小さな, ちいさな): Subjective feelings or impressions.
Which Should You Use?
It depends on the context and what you want to convey to the listener:
- When you want to objectively describe the size of something: Chiisai (小さい, ちいさい).
- When you want to subjectively describe size, or emphasize cuteness, etc.: Chiisana (小さな, ちいさな).
Other Expressions?
- Chiisai (小さい, ちいさい): Chicchai (ちっちゃい, colloquial), Mini (from English).
- Chiisana (小さな, ちいさな): Chippokena (ちっぽけな, slightly negative nuance), Kawaii (かわいい, cute).
Common Mistakes
- Completely swapping “chiisai” and “chiisana.”
- Thinking both words can be used in all situations.
In Conclusion
Understanding the differences between “chiisai” (小さい, ちいさい) and “chiisana” (小さな, ちいさな) adds richness to your Japanese expression. While “chiisai” is used for describing objective size, “chiisana” brings a more subjective and emotional nuance, often highlighting the charm or cuteness of something. Knowing when to use each term can help you sound more natural and accurate in your communication.
