小

音読おんよみ: ショウ

訓読くんよみ: ちいさい・こ・お

画数かくすう: 3 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 小(ちいさい / small)

Meaning

Small; little

Often contrasted with the kanji 大 (large) ➡️


  • ちいさい — small
  • 小学生しょうがくせい — elementary school student
  • 小学校しょうがっこう — elementary school
  • 小説しょうせつ — novel
  • 小雨こさめ — light rain
  • 小声こごえ — whisper / low voice

The character “小” shows three strokes representing something tiny or minimal in space. It’s often used to describe physical size, age (e.g., 小学生), or even tone (e.g., 小声). Simple and intuitive, it's among the first kanji learners acquire.

ちいさい いぬはしっています。
A small dog is running.

小声こごえはなしてください。
Please speak in a low voice.

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