Translation guide
Describes something extremely small in size, amount, or degree. Japanese uses various adjectives and adverbs depending on what is being described and the nuance.
To describe an object, creature, or space that is tiny or minute.
The most straightforward and common way to say 'very small'. 'とても' means 'very' and '小さい' means 'small'. Suitable for most contexts.
この部屋はとても小さいです。
This room is very small.
More formal and emphatic than 'とても小さい'. '非常に' means 'extremely'. Used in writing or formal speech.
その差は非常に小さい。
The difference is extremely small.
Casual, colloquial version of '小さい'. Often used in everyday conversation, especially by younger people or when speaking affectionately.
この犬、ちっちゃいね！
This dog is so tiny!
Technical term meaning 'minute' or 'microscopic'. Used in scientific or formal contexts.
微小な粒子を観察する。
Observe minute particles.
To describe a quantity, probability, or degree that is minimal.
Means 'very slight' or 'minimal'. Often used with nouns like 'amount', 'difference', or 'chance'. 'ごく' intensifies 'わずか' (a little).
成功の可能性はごくわずかだ。
The chance of success is very small.
Literally 'just a little', used to emphasize a very small amount. 'ほんの' adds a nuance of 'mere' or 'only'.
砂糖はほんの少し入れてください。
Please add just a very small amount of sugar.
Formal/literary expression meaning 'trifling' or 'insignificant'. Often used with nouns like 'amount' or 'sum'.
微々たる金額だ。
It's a very small sum of money.
To describe something small in an endearing or affectionate way.
Attributive form of '小さい', used before nouns. Often carries a slightly more poetic or affectionate tone than '小さい'.
小さな花が咲いている。
A very small flower is blooming.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'like a bean', used to describe something very small, often in a cute or vivid way.
豆粒のようなボタン。
A button as small as a bean.
Both mean 'small', but 小さい can be used predicatively (e.g., この部屋は小さい) and attributively (小さい部屋). 小さな is only attributive and often sounds more subjective or literary. For 'very small', とても小さい is more common than とても小さな.
とても小さい部屋
a very small room
とても小さな部屋 (less common)
a very small room (slightly literary)
In English, 'very small' can be used for abstract concepts like 'a very small chance'. Japanese often uses specific expressions like ごくわずか or ほんの少し rather than とても小さい for amounts or degrees. Using とても小さい for probability may sound unnatural.
可能性はごくわずかだ。
The possibility is very small.
フォントがとても小さいです。
The font is very small.
雨の可能性はごくわずかです。
There's a very small chance of rain.