小

Reading

Kana: しょう

Romaji: shō

Definitions

noun

n-pref

1

smallness; small item

2

short month (i.e. having fewer than 31 days)

See also: 小の月

3

elementary school

Note: abbreviation

See also: 小学校

4

younger or inferior (of two items or people with the same name)

5

unit of field area (approx. 400 sq m)

Note: archaism

Kanji

小

Readings: ショウ、 ちい.さい、 こ-、 お-、 さ-

Meanings: little, small

Example Sentences

猫(ねこ)に小判(こばん)。

➥Cast pearls before swine.

足(あし)の小指(こゆび)が痛(いた)む。

➥I have a pain in my little toe.

小切手(こぎって)で支払(しはら)う。

➥I will pay for it by check.

大(だい)か、小(しょう)か。

➥Large or small?

小川(おがわ)の水(みず)を飲(の)む。

➥Drink water from a stream.

この本(ほん)は小(ちい)さい。

➥This book is small.