Portuguese · Emotions & Descriptions
"Small" in Portuguese: pequeno/a
pequeno/a
Small in Portuguese is pequeno for masculine and pequena for feminine. The plural is pequenos/pequenas. For smaller, use menor: uma mala menor.
Clothes shopping
Este tênis ficou pequeno no meu pé.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pequeno/a
Say it
peh-KEH-noo / peh-KEH-nah
/peq.ˈue.nu/, /peq.ˈue.na/
peh-KEH-noo / peh-KEH-nah. Stress KEH.
"Small" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| pequeno / pequena | small Default adjective; agree with gender. | Default adjective; agree with gender. |
| pequenos / pequenas | small (plural) Plural agreement. | Plural agreement. |
| menor | smaller / youngest Comparative; also younger sibling. | Comparative; also younger sibling. |
| um pouco pequeno | a bit small Soft criticism of size. | Soft criticism of size. |
How to use pequeno/a in real life
- 1Clothes shopping
Este tênis ficou pequeno no meu pé.
This sneaker ended up small on my foot.
Pequeno agrees with tênis (masculine).
- 2Apartment tour
A cozinha é pequena, mas funcional.
The kitchen is small but functional.
Pequena agrees with cozinha.
- 3Packing light
Leve só a bolsa pequena na cabine.
Take only the small bag in the cabin.
A bolsa pequena is a clear size note.
Mistakes English speakers make with pequeno/a
Incorrect: uma casa pequeno
Correct: uma casa pequena
Agree with the noun: casa is feminine, so pequena.
Incorrect: mais pequeno (often awkward)
Correct: menor
Menor is the usual comparative for smaller.
Good to know
Pequeno can be affectionate—meu pequeno—or practical on labels. In Brazil, asking for a porção pequena at a boteco is normal; nobody assumes you are ungenerous for ordering small.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a takeout container
ChatPal
Você quer a marmita pequena ou a grande?
Do you want the small lunch box or the large?
You
A pequena. Estou sem muita fome.
The small one. I'm not very hungry.
ChatPal
Certo. Uma pequena de arroz e feijão.
Right. One small rice and beans.
You
Perfeito. Obrigada!
Perfect. Thanks!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Small" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Small" in Portuguese
How do I choose pequeno or pequena?
Match the noun: o quarto pequeno, a sala pequena.
How do I say smaller?
Menor is the everyday comparative.
Is pequenininho okay?
Yes as a cute diminutive in casual speech.
Small vs short (height)?
For short people, baixo/baixa is clearer than pequeno.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
