Translation guide
The English word "smallish" means somewhat small or on the small side. In Japanese, this idea is usually expressed by adding suffixes like ～め or ～やや to adjectives, or by using adverbs like やや or ちょっと before the adjective. There is no single word that directly translates "smallish" in all contexts.
Describing something as being on the small side, without being extremely small.
The suffix ～め attached to the stem of an i-adjective means 'a bit ~' or 'on the ~ side'. 小さめ is the most common and natural way to say 'smallish' for size.
この部屋は小さめですが、快適です。
This room is smallish, but it's comfortable.
小さめのバッグを探しています。
I'm looking for a smallish bag.
The adverb やや means 'somewhat' or 'a little'. Combined with 小さい (small), it directly translates to 'somewhat small'. Slightly more formal than 小さめ.
このサイズはやや小さいです。
This size is smallish.
ちょっと means 'a little' and is very common in casual speech. ちょっと小さい is a natural way to say 'a bit small' or 'smallish'.
この靴、ちょっと小さいかも。
These shoes might be a bit small.
小ぶり means 'smallish' or 'on the small side', often used for objects, portions, or physical features. It implies a moderate smallness that is pleasant or appropriate.
小ぶりのおにぎりを作った。
I made smallish rice balls.
彼女は小ぶりなイヤリングをつけていた。
She was wearing smallish earrings.
The suffix ～っぽい means '-ish' or 'tending to'. 小さっぽい can mean 'smallish' but often carries a nuance of 'seems small' or 'gives a small impression'. Less common than 小さめ.
この車、小さっぽく見えるけど、中は広いね。
This car looks smallish, but it's spacious inside.
Describing an amount, number, or degree as being on the small side.
For quantities, use 少なめ (from 少ない, few/little) with the ～め suffix. This means 'on the small side' for amounts.
砂糖は少なめに入れてください。
Please put in a smallish amount of sugar.
今日はお客さんが少なめだ。
There are a smallish number of customers today.
Using やや with 少ない for 'somewhat few/little'. More formal.
今年の収穫はやや少ない。
This year's harvest is smallish.
The suffix ～め can be attached to the stem of many i-adjectives to mean 'a bit ~' or 'on the ~ side'. For example: 大きめ (biggish), 長め (longish), 安め (cheapish). It's very common in everyday Japanese.
There is no direct Japanese equivalent of the English suffix '-ish'. Avoid trying to translate 'smallish' as a single word. Instead, use the patterns above depending on context.